Karnataka Governor refuses to address joint session of legislature

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has refused to address the joint sitting of the state legislature on Thursday, official sources said on Wednesday. The grounds for the Governor's refusal is still not clear. The joint session of Karnataka legislature that will begin on Thursday is expected to be stormy, with confrontation expected between the ruling Congress and opposition BJP- JD (S) combine on a host of issues including the "repeal" of MGNREGA by the Centre..Later, Karnataka Law Minister HK Patil in formed media that theGovernor will address the joint session of Assembly and Council tomorrow at 11 am. He will address us. The Government, the Cabinet has prepared his speech and it has sent it to him. He is expected to address the joint session. The Constitutiob of India mandates that the address of the Govt is to be addressed by the Governor. Governor's speech is nothing but a declaration of govt policies, programs and views.

#UPDATE | Karnataka Law Minister HK Patil says, "...Governor will address the joint session of Assembly and Council tomorrow at 11 am. He will address us. The Government, the Cabinet has prepared his speech and it has sent it to him. He is expected to address the joint session.… https://t.co/e90C9QsYsc pic.twitter.com/KohAQRNa3M

— ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2026

The session from January 22 to 31 will begin with Governor Gehlot's customary address to the joint sitting of legislature. Confrontation is expected between the treasury and opposition benches as the ruling Congress is planning to pass a resolution against the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre for repealing the UPA era Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), and demand for its restoration by scrapping the new Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act. The state government's move coincides with the Congress' nationwide campaign "Save MGNREGA". The Karnataka cabinet has decided not to accept the recently enacted VB-G RAM G Act, replacing the MGNREGA, and to take up a legal battle against it.

(State Correspondent)