Basavaraj Horatti resigns as Karnataka Legislative Council Chairperson
The eight-time member of Council is expected to officially step down from the post on August 14, after conducting the proceedings of the House on August 13 when the monsoon session begins
Karnataka Legislative Council Chairperson Basavaraj Horatti tendered his resignation on August 7, paving the way for the Congress to have one of its own members preside over the Upper House. Congress has selected Saleem Ahmed as the candidate for the position, who is expected to be officially appointed as Chairperson on August 14. In the interim, Horatti would continue to serve as pro-tem Speaker.
Numerous discussions had taken place with Horatti regarding this matter, with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar playing a leading role in persuading him to resign voluntarily, in an effort to avoid the potential embarrassment of a no-confidence motion. The Congress party now holds a majority in the 75-member Legislative Council.
On August 6, Horatti had informed journalists that he would address the Council about the specifics of his resignation before leaving office. However, after further negotiations with Shivakumar and other legislators, he submitted his resignation on August 7. Following a meeting with Horatti, the Chief Minister clarified that he would be designated pro-tem Speaker according to the established procedure and would preside over the session on August 13. Horatti was set to formally resign on August 14.
Currently, the post of Deputy Chairperson remains vacant following M.K. Pranesh's departure due to a legal dispute over vote counting, where he lost against A.V. Gayatri Shante Gowda of the Congress. Horatti accepted the resignation submitted by him in the absence of a Deputy Speaker. Notably, Shante Gowda was sworn in by Horatti on August 7.
The opposition BJP has expressed disapproval of the manner in which Horatti is being compelled to step down and criticized his visit to the Chief Minister's residence for a meeting. Horatti, however, dismissed the criticism, stating that he met the Chief Minister to express gratitude for their cooperation and would conduct the House on August 13, appoint a Deputy Speaker, and formally submit his resignation.
Former minister Umashree is the Congress' nominee for the post of Deputy Chairperson. Horatti, an eight-time MLC with 46 years of service in the Legislative Council, has two years remaining in his current term.
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