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Eyes on Governors’ Republic Day speech in three southern states
ET Bureau | January 25, 2026 11:38 PM CST

Synopsis

Governors in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu may alter their Republic Day speeches. This follows recent assembly incidents where governors refused to read government-drafted speeches. The opposition-ruled states are now awaiting the governors' actions on Monday. The national flag will be hoisted as usual. This situation highlights ongoing tensions between state governments and their respective governors.

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi
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.


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