Bengaluru, Jan. 22 -- Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge on Thursday termed the refusal of Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to deliver the customary address to the Assembly as an insult to the Assembly and to the people of the state.

He also criticised the Governor for walking out before the national anthem was completed.

Speaking to reporters here, he said the speech was not "fiction" and claimed the content contained nothing against the Centre. According to him, the speech only carried facts. He blamed the governor for not choosing to speak the "people's language".

Kharge said, "It is unfortunate what stand the governor has taken and like I said before. The speech was not fiction; it had nothing against...