Basavaraj Horatti Announces Decision to Step Down as Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman

A major political development has unfolded in Karnataka after senior leader Basavaraj Horatti announced his decision to resign as Chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council. The veteran politician said he would formally step down from the post on August 14, bringing an end to his tenure amid growing political pressure and changing equations within the ruling establishment.

The announcement comes after the Congress high command reportedly proposed the name of senior party leader Saleem Ahmed for the Chairman’s position. The recommendation triggered intense political discussions and led to a series of meetings between Horatti and top Congress leaders over the past few days. The latest decision is expected to pave the way for a change in the leadership of the Legislative Council.

Speaking about his decision, Horatti said he had been asked to vacate the post and was informed that a no confidence motion could be moved if he chose not to resign. Rather than allowing the matter to escalate into a political confrontation, he decided to leave the office voluntarily. According to him, maintaining personal dignity and the respect attached to the constitutional position was more important than continuing in office amid uncertainty.

The veteran leader explained that he did not want the prestigious position of Chairman to become the center of prolonged political conflict. He stated that resigning was the most appropriate course of action under the present circumstances and would help avoid unnecessary controversy inside the Legislative Council.

The political developments gained momentum after Horatti held discussions with senior Congress leaders in Bengaluru. Reports indicate that he recently met Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, during which the issue of the Chairman’s post was discussed. Soon after, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President B K Hariprasad also visited Horatti at his official residence to hold further talks regarding the matter.

Despite deciding to resign, Horatti expressed disappointment over the manner in which the developments unfolded. He said there had been no allegations of corruption or misconduct against him during his tenure as Chairman. According to him, a constitutional office deserves respect and decisions related to such positions should ideally follow established procedures rather than being influenced by political pressure.

Horatti also remarked that he had expected formal communication regarding any decision related to the Chairman’s position. Instead, the sequence of political events left him feeling disappointed. While accepting the changing political reality, he maintained that the dignity of constitutional institutions should always be protected.

The decision has also drawn strong reactions from opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal Secular. Leaders from both parties questioned the manner in which pressure was allegedly placed on Horatti to vacate the post. They argued that constitutional offices should remain above political disputes and should not become subject to unnecessary pressure.

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy criticized the reported efforts to secure Horatti’s resignation. He said that asking the Chairman to resign merely because the ruling party has sufficient numbers sets an unhealthy political precedent. According to him, the decision regarding continuation in office should have been left entirely to Horatti rather than being influenced by political considerations.

Narayanaswamy further stated that if Horatti had decided to continue in the post, the opposition would have extended complete support to him. At the same time, he acknowledged that the final decision rested solely with the Chairman and respected his personal choice to step down.

Leaders from the Janata Dal Secular also expressed concern over the developments. They described Horatti as one of Karnataka’s most experienced legislators and said that a leader with such a long public service record deserved greater respect. Opposition members noted that Horatti had served as a member of the Legislative Council on multiple occasions and had earned recognition for his parliamentary conduct and administrative experience.

Basavaraj Horatti has remained one of the most prominent faces in Karnataka politics for several decades. His long legislative career has seen him occupy several important positions while representing the interests of the people across different governments. His experience and familiarity with legislative procedures have made him one of the senior most political figures in the state.

The expected vacancy in the Chairman’s office is now likely to initiate the formal process for electing a new presiding officer. With the Congress leadership reportedly backing Saleem Ahmed for the position, political observers believe the transition could take place soon after Horatti submits his resignation.

The development is also significant because the Chairman of the Legislative Council plays an important constitutional role in conducting House proceedings, ensuring smooth legislative business and maintaining order during debates. Any leadership change therefore carries political as well as institutional importance.

As August 14 approaches, attention will remain focused on the Legislative Council and the next steps in the selection process. While the ruling alliance appears confident about the transition, the opposition has indicated that it will continue to question the manner in which the change has been handled. Regardless of the political debate, Horatti’s decision marks the conclusion of an important chapter in Karnataka’s legislative history and opens the door for new leadership in the Council.