Karnataka Governor Refuses Address, Demands Deletions in Speech

• Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot refused to address the joint session of the state legislature on January 22, demanding deletions from the government-prepared speech.
• The Governor objects to 11 paragraphs, particularly those concerning the repeal of MGNREGA and issues related to fund devolution, which are critical of the Centre.
• Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil met the Governor but reported no progress, stating the government finds the demand for complete removal unacceptable.
• The incident is the third such confrontation between a Governor and a non-BJP ruled state government in recent days, following similar events in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• The state government has agreed to remove only a few sentences critical of the VB-G RAM (G) Act, while the Advocate General has reportedly gone to New Delhi, hinting at a potential legal challenge.

Why It Matters: Karnataka Governor's refusal to deliver the policy speech due to demanded deletions creates a constitutional deadlock.