Eyes on Governors’ Republic Day speech in three southern states

An air of uncertainty looms over how Governors of three Opposition-ruled southern states, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu will react on Republic Day, Monday, if the respective government will hand them speech copies critical of the Centre. They will, of course, hoist the national flag, as has been the practice.

“I don’t know what the Governor (Thaawarchand Gehlot) will do,” Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah told the media in Mysuru in response to a query. The government, he said, would give him a copy of the prepared speech for the Republic parade address, but the governor might change it, he added.

In Kerala, governor RV Arlekar will be addressing the public at the central stadium.


Governors RN Ravi (Tamil Nadu), Arlekar and Gehlot created a crisis a few days ago, refusing to read the speech prepared by the government at the assembly sessions, and walked out inviting strong protests from the ruling parties.

The three southern states are ruled by INDI partners.