First TN, then Kerala, now Karnataka: Stalin seeks end to Governors’ first Assembly session address

Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin has sharply criticised a growing pattern of Governors refusing to read the speeches prepared by state governments, accusing them of acting as partisan agents and undermining democratically elected administrations. Speaking on social media, Stalin said the practice of commencing the first annual Assembly session with the Governor’s address is “obsolete and irrelevant” and called for its abolition through a constitutional amendment. He added that the DMK will consult like-minded opposition parties across India and pursue the amendment in the next parliamentary session.

Row in Karnataka

The controversy in Karnataka escalated on Wednesday when the Governor refused to read the Cabinet-prepared address during the first joint session of the Assembly and instead delivered a speech of his own. Responding to the incident, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said:

“By not reading the address prepared by the Cabinet at the first joint session of the year, the Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka has violated the Constitution. This act amounts to an affront to the House of elected representatives. We strongly condemn this, and after due discussion, a decision will be taken on approaching the Supreme Court.

Addressing the joint session at the beginning of every year, and at the time of formation of a new government, is a constitutional duty of the Governor. Under Articles 176 and 163 of the Constitution, the Governor is bound to read the address prepared by the Council of Ministers and has no authority to substitute it with a speech of his own. This has been the established constitutional practice since the adoption of the Constitution.

Today, the first joint session of the year and a special session were convened. The Union Government has repealed the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and replaced it with the Viksit Bharat – Rozgar aur Ajeevika Mission (Rural). Our government strongly opposes this move… By refusing to read the Cabinet-prepared address, the Governor has violated constitutional provisions and insulted the Legislature. This unconstitutional conduct undermines the dignity of the Governor’s office. Copies of the government-prepared address have been distributed to all legislators, and legal options will be examined and pursued.”

Siddaramaiah emphasised that the state government would continue to oppose the new law, which he said centralises employment decisions and undermines the rights of workers, women, Dalits, and small farmers, and vowed to restore MGNREGA through sustained protests and legal action if necessary. (With inputs from Agencies)