The ongoing dispute between the Congress-led government and the Governor in Karnataka may escalate as the government refuses to remove 11 paragraphs from the joint session address to be delivered by the Governor. Concerns are rising about a potential constitutional crisis in the state, leading the government to consider seeking Supreme Court intervention for the Governor to present the speech as provided by the government.
As the joint session of the Karnataka Assembly approaches, scheduled for 11 a.m. on Thursday, the state government is maintaining a cautious approach. If the Governor fails to deliver the address at the designated time, legal action is on the table. Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty has been dispatched to New Delhi under the Chief Minister’s directives to explore legal options, including approaching the Supreme Court for necessary directions.
In a move to address the impasse, the government is contemplating filing a petition before the Supreme Court with two primary demands. Firstly, the Governor must deliver the government’s address in the House, and secondly, he must fulfill his constitutional obligations. The Chief Minister has assigned the task of preparing the petition to A.S. Ponnanna and the Advocate General.
The uncertainty surrounding the Governor’s address persists, with Governor Thawarchand Gehlot insisting on the removal of 11 contentious paragraphs from the state Cabinet’s prepared speech. Following discussions with the Chief Minister, a decision is pending. State Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs H.K. Patil, along with other officials, met the Governor to address his objections and ensure a resolution ahead of the joint session on Thursday.
