Basavaraj Horatti Quits as Karnataka Council Chairperson, Saleem Ahmed Named Successor

Basavaraj Horatti, Chairperson of the Karnataka Legislative Council, submitted his resignation on August 7, 2024, following a series of discussions with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. This move allows the Congress party, which holds a majority in the 75-member Upper House, to elect its own nominee as the presiding officer.

The Congress has named senior leader Saleem Ahmed as its candidate for the position. Mr. Ahmed is expected to be formally installed as Chairperson on August 14. In the interim, Mr. Horatti will continue as pro-tem Speaker and will preside over the Council when the monsoon session commences on August 13.

Mr. Horatti's resignation came after several rounds of talks with Chief Minister Shivakumar, who took the lead in persuading the veteran MLC to step down voluntarily, apparently to avoid a no-confidence motion. The Congress now enjoys a clear majority in the Council, making the transition politically straightforward.

On August 6, Mr. Horatti had told reporters that he would address the Council about the circumstances of his resignation before stepping down. Following a final meeting with Mr. Shivakumar and other legislators on August 7, he submitted his resignation. In a statement, Mr. Shivakumar said that Mr. Horatti would be designated pro-tem Speaker as per procedure and continue in that role until August 14.

Mr. Horatti said he would appoint a Deputy Chairperson and then submit his resignation to that officer. The post of Deputy Chairperson has been vacant since M.K. Pranesh lost his seat following a legal dispute over the counting of votes. A.V. Gayatri Shante Gowda of the Congress, who was sworn in by Mr. Horatti on August 7, is a member of the Council. The Congress has nominated former minister Umashree for the Deputy Chairperson post.

The opposition BJP has taken exception to the circumstances of Mr. Horatti's resignation, alleging that he was being "forced" to step down. The party also objected to Mr. Horatti going to the Chief Minister's residence for a meeting. Mr. Horatti dismissed these charges, saying he met the Chief Minister to thank him for his cooperation. "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," he said.

Mr. Horatti is one of the most experienced members of the Karnataka Legislative Council, having been elected eight times over a period of 46 years. His current term had two years remaining. The Council Secretary has accepted his resignation in the absence of a Deputy Chairperson.

This change in leadership comes at a critical juncture as the monsoon session is set to begin on August 13. With the Congress now set to have its own member in the chair, the ruling party is expected to have smoother passage of its legislative agenda during the session.