Karnataka Governor Walks Out: Constitutional Crisis Over Official Speeches Deepens

• Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot abruptly ended his address to the state legislature, refusing to read the full speech prepared by the Siddaramaiah government.
• The Governor objected to parts of the speech criticizing the Union government's policies, including the repeal of MGNREGA and the new VB-GRAMG law, deeming them "false or misleading."
• Similar incidents have occurred in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where Governors have skipped or altered portions of state government-prepared speeches, highlighting a growing pattern in opposition-ruled states.
• Article 176(1) of the Constitution mandates the Governor to address the legislature with a speech prepared by the state government, reflecting its policies.
• State governments can challenge the Governor's refusal in court, push for constitutional amendments, pass resolutions, or exert political pressure to address such conflicts.

Why It Matters: Governors' refusal to read state-prepared speeches sparks constitutional debate on federal balance and gubernatorial powers.