Shimla, Feb. 16 -- In a development that underscored the widening rift between Raj Bhavan and the Himachal government, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Monday declined to read the customary full Governor's Address on the opening day of the Budget Session of the HP Assembly.

Addressing the House briefly, Governor Shukla said, "I don't think I should read it," while specifically pointing out that the prepared address contained "comments on constitutional institutions." He stated that the remaining portion of the speech largely dealt with the achievements of the state government and its future roadmap, which he said the House could deliberate upon independently.

"The rest of the address consists of achievements of the government and future a...