Bengaluru, Jan 22 (IANS) Criticising Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot for not reading out the Cabinet-prepared speech at the joint session of the Karnataka Legislature, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the Governor had violated the Constitution and insulted legislators. He also said discussions would be held on approaching the Supreme Court over the matter. Addressing the media at Vidhana Soudha after the Governor’s exit on Thursday, the Chief Minister said, “It is a constitutional obligation for the Governor to address the joint session at the beginning of the year and when a new government is formed. Articles 176 and 163 of the Indian Constitution clearly state that the Governor should not read out a speech prepared by himself. The speech prepared by the Cabinet of the government must be read out by the Governor.”

By refusing to read the Cabinet-prepared speech and instead delivering his own one-paragraph address, the Governor had acted against the Constitution, Siddaramaiah said. “He has violated the Constitution,” the Chief Minister asserted. “The Constitution is very clear under Articles 176 and 163 that the Governor shall read out the speech prepared by the Cabinet. This is a clear violation of the Constitution and an insult to the House of representatives of the people. This has been a long-standing constitutional tradition, and it has now been violated,” he said. “Our government, party, MLAs and MLCs will protest this across the state. The Governor has acted like a puppet in the hands of the Centre. To hide its failures, the Central government has made the Governor deliver a different speech. This is unconstitutional. The Governor has failed in his duty and responsibility,” the Chief Minister stated.

He said the Cabinet-prepared speech had been distributed to all MLAs and MLCs and that he would address the media again on the issue. “We will take a decision on whether to approach the Supreme Court and inform the media. I will also discuss with ministers about moving a condemnation resolution in the House against the Governor’s action,” he said. The Chief Minister said the joint session was convened as it was the first session of the year, along with a special session. He said the special session was called following the repeal of the MGNREGA and the enactment of the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act.

“Our government strongly condemns this. First, the name of Mahatma Gandhi has been removed from the scheme. Second, in 2005, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, based on the Directive Principles of State Policy, introduced legislations guaranteeing the right to work, food, education and information. The objective of the Right to Work was to  ensure 100 days of employment for poor rural labourers,” he said. He pointed out that beneficiaries included Dalits, labourers, women and small farmers, with women accounting for 53 per cent and Dalits for 23 per cent. “They no longer have a guaranteed right to work. Earlier, they could undertake work on their own farmlands, but this has been withdrawn. Now, the Centre will decide where work is to be carried out,” he said.

Earlier, he said, it was the government’s duty to provide employment for up to 365 days, with panchayats and gram sabhas preparing action plans. “These provisions are absent in the new VB-GRAM G Act. The BJP is defending it because they have no freedom and are compelled to agree with the Centre’s decisions. That is their policy,” he claimed. “Hence, we opposed it and included the issue in the Governor’s speech. Our objective is to demand the restoration of MGNREGA and repeal of the new Act. The party and the government have decided to continue agitation until the Act is withdrawn, similar to the farmers’ agitation that forced the Centre to repeal farm laws. We will continue the struggle,” CM Siddaramaiah said.

It can be noted that Governor Gehlot on Thursday declined to deliver the customary address prepared by the Karnataka government to the joint session of the state legislature. He limited his address to a few lines, abruptly ended it and walked out, triggering dramatic scenes in the Assembly. BJP legislators retaliated by congratulating the Governor and raising slogans of “Bharat Mata ki Jai”. Congress MLAs and MLCs attempted to stop the Governor and urged him to read the speech prepared by the government. The development has triggered a major controversy and further escalated the tussle between the Governor and the government in Karnataka. Earlier, Governor Gehlot asked the state government to remove 11 paragraphs from the speech prepared by the state Cabinet.