Bengaluru, Jan. 23 -- The face-off between governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and the Karnataka government on delivering the customary address approved by the cabinet to both Houses of the state legislature escalated on Thursday after the governor read just three lines of the prepared speech and walked out without waiting for the national anthem to be played even as slogans were raised against him.

On Thursday, ending the suspense over whether he would come to the House to address the joint session -- he had expressed his reservations over 11 paragraphs in the speech which were critical of the Centre -- Gehlot arrived at 11 am. After he was escorted into the House with the ceremonial welcome, Gehlot read only the opening two lines and the fina...