However, the governor must act on the advice of the popularly elected council of ministers, headed by the chief minister of Karnataka, which thus holds de facto executive authority in the state.

The Constitution of India also empowers the governor to act upon his or her own discretion, such as the ability to appoint or dismiss a ministry, recommend President's rule, or reserve bills for the president's assent.

Over the years, the exercise of these discretionary powers have given rise to conflict between the elected chief minister and the central government–appointed governor.

[1] Since 1956, eighteen people have served as the governor of Mysore (as the state was known before 1 November 1973) and Karnataka.

A majority of Karnataka's governors have been politicians (ten), another five have been civil servants.