Karnataka governor concludes address to joint session in Assembly in just two lines, walks out | Watch

Days after the governor walked out of Tamil Nadu Assembly over the national anthem issue, now Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot walked out of the state assembly right after concluding his address to joint session of state legislature in just two lines.

After greeting the members, the governor remarked that he was pleased to address the joint session.

High Drama in Karnataka Assembly: Congress Alleges Governor Thawarchand Gehlot Read Self-Prepared Speech

​Bengaluru Tensions between Lok Bhavan and the #Congress-led Karnataka government reached a boiling point today during the opening of the state legislature’s joint session.… pic.twitter.com/GmIQObNgVN — Yasir Mushtaq (@path2shah) January 22, 2026

"My government is committed to doubling the economic, social and physical development of the state. Jai Hind, Jai Karnataka," he read in Hindi.

#WATCH | Bengaluru | Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot walks out of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly; Congress leader BK Hariprasad seen trying to stop the Governor pic.twitter.com/QZjWSlZJgx — ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2026

Congress members expressed strong displeasure over the Governor curtailing his speech, and raised "Shame Shame" slogans on the floor of the House, PTI reported.

Governor vs Government

The brief appearance follows a tense standoff between the Lok Bhavan and the Congress-led government -- the latest in a series of Governor vs Government confrontations in non-BJP ruled states, including Tamil Nadu, where the governor walked out of state assembly over the national anthem not being played.

Earlier, Gehlot was received at the steps of the state secretariat by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader, Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil.

Gehlot had on Wednesday refused to deliver the address to the Karnataka legislature, leading to a stalemate over the fate of the customary speech that outlines the government's policies, PTI reported.

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 Minister Patil had met Gehlot on Wednesday evening amid the impasse. The delegation comprised Advocate General K Shashi Kiran Shetty and Legal Advisor to the CM A S Ponna.

'Political agents'

Reacting to the governor's decision to cut-down his speech, chief minister Siddaramaiah said, "Every new year the Governor has to address the joint session of Assembly, had the speech prepared by the Cabinet. This is a constitutional requirement. Today, instead of reading the speech prepared by the Cabinet, the Governor read the one he himself prepared. This is in violation of the Constitution of India. It violates Articles 176 and 163 of the Indian Constitution. He has not discharged his duties as per the Constitution. Therefore, we are going to protest against the attitude of the Governor. We are examining whether or not to approach the Supreme Court."

Karnataka Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao says," If Governors are going to act like political agents, then do we even need to have this address?"