Karnataka Council session may see Congress-BJP clash over Chairman’s resignation

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Legislative Council's monsoon session is likely to begin on August 13 with a political confrontation between the ruling Congress and the BJP-JDS combine over Basavaraj Horatti's resignation as Council chairman.

Horatti has complained to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot that he did not step down voluntarily and alleged that the Congress forced his resignation to clear the way for senior Congress MLC Saleem Ahmed to take over as chairman.

Also Read: Horatti resigns as Karnataka Legislative Council chairman, clears way for Saleem Ahmed


Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, speaking to reporters in Delhi late Sunday, rejected Horatti's claim and said the veteran legislator had agreed to resign after the Congress began collecting signatures to move a no-confidence motion against him.

"The Congress was gathering signatures of members to move a no-confidence motion. Horatti agreed to resign and did so voluntarily. Later, he complained to the Governor," Shivakumar said.

The chief minister said he and Health Minister UT Khader met Gehlot and explained the circumstances surrounding Horatti's resignation, including the legal position and relevant precedents. He urged the Governor to examine Horatti's complaint within the constitutional and legal framework.

Shivakumar also accused the BJP of attempting to use the Governor's office to create a constitutional confrontation.

"The BJP is harassing him (Horatti). I feel sorry for him," he said.

Also Read: All clear for DK as Karnataka Legislative Council chairman gives in

Horatti, who is not a Congress member, resigned last week after initially resisting the ruling party's decision to replace him. The Congress high command had nominated Ahmed for the Cabinet-rank post as part of its political balancing exercise following the recent Cabinet expansion.

Ahmed, a senior Congress leader from north Karnataka, was among the aspirants for a ministerial berth but was accommodated in the Council chairman's post after the Cabinet expansion left one position vacant.