BJP Defends Karnataka Governor Over Assembly Address, Claims Congress Misusing House

BJP state president B Y Vijayendra on Thursday strongly defended Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot for deviating from the government-prepared speech during his address to the joint legislative session, accusing the ruling Congress of “misusing” the floor of the House to stir public resentment against the Centre.

He also demanded that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah take action against ruling party MLAs and MLCs for “trying to attack the governor”.

“What his excellency governor has done today is right. He has taken the right decision. He has done his duty whereas the ruling Congress government insulting governor is not correct. Ruling party MLA, MLCs trying to attack his excellency is totally unconstitutional. So, I demand chief minister Siddaramaiah to tender an apology for the attitude of ruling MLA and MLCs... he should also take strict action.

“The Speaker should also look into the matter and take action against those MLA and MLCs who are trying to stop and attack governor,” he told reporters here.

Earlier, Gehlot concluded his customary address to the joint session of the state legislature after reading just two lines.

After delivering the brief address, the Governor walked out of the Assembly amid protests by Congress members and attempts to gherao him.

Accusing the Congress government of “trying to misuse” the Assembly, the BJP chief questioned why such a situation had arisen in Karnataka.

“When the Congress government is trying to misuse the assembly, they are trying to antagonise people against the central government is not correct. What is the reason?” he asked.

Vijayendra highlighted various changes introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the NDA government and referred to how MGNREGA was replaced by VB-G RAM G, saying the Prime Minister’s vision was to fulfil Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of Ram Raj and Gram Raj.

“To realise this dream, many valuable changes have been made and the poor people all across the country are welcoming this move. But unfortunately, the Siddaramaiah government is trying to politicise this issue, and spreading a false narrative, which is totally unacceptable,” he said.

Responding to a query on the Congress government exploring the option of approaching the Supreme Court over the Governor’s conduct, the BJP state president said, “… it is up to them, but Siddaramaiah is acting as if he is the chief minister of the Congress party.” He added, “Let me remind Siddaramaiah that he is the chief minister of Karnataka state and not the Congress party. He should not lower the dignity of the gubernatorial post. He should also not lower the dignity of the house. It is his responsibility.”

Reacting to the Governor’s decision to read his own speech, Vijayendra said one could not expect the Governor to act like a puppet and follow directions.

“See by taking the constitution provisions you can't turn the governor into a puppet. You can't expect governor to follow your directions that's why I told the state government, and more importantly the chief minister should come forward to save the dignity of the house. He should respect the House. He should also respect the Raj Bhavan. It is chief minister minister himself who is trying to politicise and undermine the provisions of the constitution,” he said.

Asked about allegations that the Governor was acting as a political tool of the BJP, Vijayendra said that if Gehlot had intended to act in that manner, he could have skipped the session.

“With due respect to the constitution provision, the governor his excellency came here and addressed the assembly and had discharged his duty. What else do they expect?” he asked.

On the Congress decision to protest against the Governor’s conduct, Vijayendra said the party was left with no other option.

“Till today people are cursing this Congress government as we have been discussing since last two years, where is development ? People are upset with this government... to cover up its failures, it is trying to blame central government. They (state government) trying to blame his excellency is not correct. BJP will face it politically. We will also hit the streets,” he added.

Gehlot had on Wednesday refused to deliver the customary address to the Karnataka legislature scheduled for Thursday, objecting to certain references to the Centre “repealing” the UPA-era MGNREGA.

As many as 11 paragraphs in the government-prepared speech, which allegedly made critical references to the Centre and its policies, including MGNREGA and issues such as devolution of funds, are said to have irked the Governor, prompting him to seek their deletion.

(with PTI inputs)