Karnataka Governor Refuses Full Speech, Walks Out of Assembly Amid Standoff

• Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot cut short his customary address to the joint session of the state legislature at Vidhana Soudha.
• He declined to read the full speech prepared by the elected government, concluding after only a few opening lines.
• The dispute arose over 11 paragraphs in the government's speech that criticized the Centre on issues like MGNREGA, fund devolution, and drought relief.
• The Governor had objected to these paragraphs, seeking their deletion, while the state government refused to drop entire sections.
• Minister Priyank Kharge accused the Governor of violating Articles 176 and 163, stating the speech contained only facts.

Why It Matters: Karnataka Governor's refusal to read the full government-prepared speech sparks a constitutional crisis.