Karnataka Guv arrives at Vidhana Soudha for joint legislature session
Bengaluru (PTI): Ending hours of political suspense, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Thursday arrived at Vidhana Soudha, the seat of state legislature and secretariat here, for the joint session of the state legislature.
Gehlot was received at Vidhana Soudha by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader, Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil.
In yet another Governor vs government face-off in a non-BJP ruled state, Gehlot had on Wednesday refused to deliver the Governor's address to the Karnataka legislature, leading to a stalemate over the fate of the customary speech that outlines the government's policies.
A total of 11 paragraphs in the government prepared speech, which allegedly makes critical reference to the central government and its policies, touching upon the "repeal" of MGNREGA and issues including devolution of funds seem to have irked the Governor, who wanted them to be deleted.
A delegation led by Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil had met Gehlot on Wednesday evening amid the impasse. The delegation comrpised Advocate General K Shashi Kiran Shetty and Legal Advisor to the CM A S Ponna.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Patil reiterated that the Constitution of India under Article 176(1) very specifically mandates that the speech prepared by the government is to be addressed by the Governor.
The governor's address is nothing but the declaration of the government's policies, programmes and views, he said. "Article 176(1) says that the Governor shall address the joint session and he should address the session in full. The full text of the speech prepared by the cabinet is to be red by the Governor. It is his first responsibility and he is duty bound by the Constitution of India."
"In case the Governor cuts short his speech or doesn't address, it will be a betrayal to the constitution on his part....the government will see what needs to be done if it happens," he added.
According to sources, late on Wednesday night, the state government agreed to remove a couple of sentences critical of the VB-G RAM (G) Act.
AG Shetty is reportedly in New Delhi, fueling speculations about a potential legal battle if the Governor does not turn up to address the joint session.
This is the third face-off between a governor and a state government in the past two days.
On Tuesday, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi walked out of the state Assembly without delivering his customary address to the House on the opening day of its inaugural session of the year, claiming "inaccuracies" in the text. Similarly, his Kerala counterpart Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar had allegedly "omitted" portions of his speech, with the Lok Bhavan claiming his suggestions had been excluded from the original draft.
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Vijay unable to prove majority, not invited for CM oath ceremony: Sources
Chennai: Actor-politician Vijay has reportedly not been invited to take oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after failing to demonstrate support from the required number of MLAs, sources in Raj Bhavan said.
According to media reports that quoted sources in the office of R.N. Ravi Arlekar, Vijay could not prove the backing of 118 legislators, the majority mark in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Despite last-minute efforts to secure support from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazagam (AMMK), and an IUML legislator, Vijay reportedly managed support from only 116 MLAs, falling short by two members.
Sources said Vijay failed to submit letters of support from the VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
Later, the IUML issued a statement clarifying that it was not part of the TVK-led alliance.
Meanwhile, AMMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran is also said to have informed the Governor that his party would support the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) instead.
Earlier in the evening, Vijay had met Governor Arlekar and staked claim to form the government, stating that he enjoyed the support of 118 MLAs.
