Karnataka governor to follow Tamil Nadu and Kerala counterparts? Thaawarchand Gehlot seeks removal of 11 paragraphs from his address

The Karnataka governor flagged portions of the speech that are critical of central government policies, such as the replacement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act and the devolution of funds under the 15th Finance Commission. This triggered a flurry of activity, which prompted Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil’s office to put out a note saying the governor had refused to deliver the address, only to withdraw it within minutes.

Later, along with A S Ponnana, legal advisor to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Advocate-General K Shashi Kiran Shetty, Patil met the governor at Raj Bhavan at around 5.45 pm on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Patil said that though the governor had not declined to participate in the joint legislature address, he “expressed reservations about the speech prepared by the Cabinet”.

The governor reached out to the chief secretary’s office on Wednesday seeking changes in the speech.
“We can discuss some changes. But taking out entire paragraphs will be against our government decision,” Patil said. The minister added that though the Government was ready to make a few edits, the governor had advised removing the 11 paragraphs.

The joint session of the legislature is being held as part of the Congress Government’s campaign against the repeal of the MGNREGA, which it says will burden state governments, apart from going against principles of decentralisation.

The Government has scheduled a special discussion on the repeal of the Act during the five-day session.