Should the practice of Governors addressing the State legislatures be scrapped? Edited excerpts:Does a Governor’s refusal to read the Cabinet-approved opening address violate the Constitution? In Nabam Rebia v. Deputy Speaker (2016), the Supreme Court clarified that the Governor’s address to the House is an executive function performed strictly on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers. At least two other sessions of the State legislature each year commence without a Governor’s address, which indicates that the legislature’s functioning is not inherently dependent on this ceremonial formality. Such situations also risk precipitating a constitutional crisis, as the legislative session cannot formally commence in the absence of the Governor’s address.

Source: The Hindu February 06, 2026 09:06 UTC