The Bengal government has rejected changes suggested by governor Jagdeep Dhankhar in the speech to be delivered by him at the beginning of the budget session of the Assembly on Friday, prompting Raj Bhavan to say that he will address the issue in keeping with constitutional provisions and never cross the “Lakshman rekha”.

Dhankhar had suggested the changes in the speech prepared by the state government after the draft was given to him following the cabinet’s approval on February 3.

On Thursday morning, the changes Dhankhar had suggested were sent to Nabanna. In the evening, the state secretariat informed Raj Bhavan that the draft sent earlier following cabinet approval was final.

“The stand of the state government on the issue has been communicated to Raj Bhavan on the evening of 6 February, 2020, and the government has taken the stand that the text of the address as already sent, is the final text. Governor Shri Dhankhar has indicated that he would address the issue in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution…. He also asserted that he will never cross the ‘Lakshman Rekha’,” said a release issued by Raj Bhavan on Thursday evening.

A government official said: “The top brass of the government, including the chief minister and the chief secretary, held meetings to discuss the governor’s suggestions. It was decided that it was not possible for the government to incorporate the suggestions.”

Sources in Raj Bhavan said the governor had suggested the addition of some paragraphs on issues such as the law-and-order situation in the state, particularly women’s safety and security and the role of university chancellors.

“The government could not accept the suggestions as they were not in line with the state’s version,” said a Nabanna source.