Intro
Horatti opts to quit, citing bid to preserve dignity of constitutional office.
CH NEWS
BENGALURU
Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti on Thursday announced that he will resign from his post on August 14, saying he chose to step down rather than face a no-confidence motion proposed by the ruling Congress government.
Addressing the media, Horatti said Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, accompanied by Cabinet ministers, met him on Wednesday night and conveyed that the Congress high command wanted him to resign. According to Horatti, the Chief Minister informed him that the party was under pressure from the high command and was considering moving a no-confidence motion against him.
Horatti said he decided to resign voluntarily to protect the dignity of the constitutional office. He added that if he were defeated through a no-confidence motion in the House, it would diminish the respect attached to the Chair.
He said several ministers requested him to continue, describing him as a fair and non-partisan Chairman. However, he claimed Shivakumar expressed personal respect for him but said he was bound by the Congress high command’s decision.
Expressing disappointment, Horatti said he had witnessed 18 Chief Ministers and 10 to 12 Council Chairmen during his political career and had never seen such a situation before. He maintained that he had discharged his responsibilities impartially and treated all members equally.
The development follows the Congress securing a majority in the Legislative Council after recent elections to four seats. The party has reportedly finalised senior leader Saleem Ahmed as its nominee for the Chairman’s post.
The BJP criticised the move, with Leader of the Opposition in the Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy stating that the Chairman’s constitutional office should not be altered merely because the ruling party enjoys a numerical majority.
Quote
“To uphold the dignity of the Chair, I have decided to resign on August 14. I would rather step down voluntarily than face a no-confidence motion.”
Basavaraj Horatti, Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman
Horatti bows out before trust vote
- Resignation date: August 14
- Post: Legislative Council Chairman
- Reason cited: Proposed no-confidence motion
- CM’s message: High command sought resignation
- Congress nominee: Saleem Ahmed
- BJP stand: Constitutional office should remain above party politics
Political backdrop
The resignation announcement comes after the Congress gained a majority in the Karnataka Legislative Council following recent elections. The party has chosen Saleem Ahmed as its candidate for the Chairman’s post. Horatti said he preferred to resign instead of facing a no-confidence motion. The BJP termed the development unprecedented, arguing that constitutional positions should not be changed solely because the ruling party has secured a legislative majority.
