Basavaraj Horatti resigns as Karnataka Legislative Council Chairperson

Karnataka Legislative Council Chairperson Basavaraj Horatti submitted his resignation from the post on August 7, making way for the Congress to have one of its own members to preside over the Upper House.

Congress has already named its senior leader Saleem Ahmed as the candidate for the position. He is expected to be officially anointed Chaiperson on August 14. Till such time, Mr. Horatti would continue as pro-tem Speaker.

There had been several rounds of talks with Mr. Horatti on the issue, with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar himself taking the lead, in an effort to persuade him to resign of his own volition, to avoid the embarrassment of a no confidence motion. Congress now enjoys majority in the 75-member Legislative Council.

While the Monsoon session of Karnataka Legislature starts on August 13, Mr. Horatti had on Thursday told media persons he would address the Council about the circumstances of his resignation before stepping down. However, after another round of talks with Mr. Shivakumar and other legislators, he submitted his resignation on Friday.

Speaking after a meeting with Mr. Horatti, the Chief Minister said that he would be designated pro-tem Speaker as per procedure and would conduct session on August 13 and officially resign thereafter on August 14. Mr. Horatti said he would appoint Deputy Chairperson and formally submit the resignation to him. Currently the post of Deputy Chairperson is vacant, after M.K. Pranesh lost his position following a legal battle, over counting of votes, to A.V. Gayathri Shanthe Gowda of Congress. The resignation submitted by Mr. Horatti has been accepted by Council Secretary, in the absence of the Deputy Speaker. Incidentally, Mr. Shantegowda was sworn in by Mr. Horatti on Friday.

The opposition BJP has taken exception to the manner in which Mr. Horatti is being “forced” to step down. It has also taken exception to the fact that Mr. Horatti went to the Chief Minister’s residence for a meeting. However, Mr. Horatti brushed it aside on Friday and said, “I met the Chief Minister to thank him for co-operating for this long. I will conduct the House on August 13, appoint a Deputy Speaker and tender my resignation formally.” Former Minister Umashree is the Congress’ nominee for the Deputy Chairperson’s post.

An eight-time MLC, Mr. Horatti has been a member of the Legislative Council for 46 years. He has two years remaining in his current term.