JDS slams CM Siddaramaiah over remarks against Governor Gehlot

Bengaluru: The Janata Dal (Secular) has strongly objected to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s sharp remarks against Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, accusing him of political double standards and contradictory positions on the constitutional role of governors.

Earlier, CM Siddaramaiah had alleged that Governor Gehlot was acting as a “tool of the Centre” and had violated constitutional provisions by not delivering the address prepared by the state cabinet during the joint session of the legislature.

The Chief Minister claimed that the Governor’s conduct amounted to a clear breach of Articles 176(1) and 163 of the Constitution. “The Governor has no authority to read a speech of his own making. Under the Constitution, he is bound to read the address prepared by the elected government.

Any deviation from this is a clear constitutional violation,” Siddaramaiah had said, adding that the state government was examining the option of approaching the Supreme Court over the issue.

Reacting sharply, the JDS launched a scathing attack on the Chief Minister, accusing him of speaking with “two tongues” on the Governor’s role. The party shared an old video clip of Siddaramaiah on its official X handle, alleging that his current stand contradicts his own earlier statements.

In the video, Siddaramaiah is seen stating that governors have the constitutional authority to oversee whether a government is functioning within the framework of the Constitution. He is also heard saying that if a government deviates from its responsibilities, the Governor has the right to caution, advise, and even take action.

“When governors exercise such powers, calling it politically motivated or pre-planned will not convince the people,” Siddaramaiah had said in the earlier clip. Sharing the video, JDS said the people of Karnataka are witnessing Siddaramaiah’s “political acrobatics” and accused him of changing his stance to suit convenience.

“The same Siddaramaiah who once defended the constitutional authority of governors is now questioning it for political gain,” the party alleged. The controversy stems from the dramatic scenes witnessed on the first day of the new year’s legislature session.

Governor Gehlot reportedly delivered only the opening lines of the joint session address and left the House without completing the speech, triggering loud protests, sloganeering, and chaos from both treasury and opposition benches.

The incident has further intensified the ongoing confrontation between the Raj Bhavan and the state government, while opposition parties continue to target the Congress leadership over its handling of constitutional institutions.

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