BJP petitions Governor to reject Horatti's resignation, alleges Congress pressure
BJP leaders in Karnataka have petitioned Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to reject the resignation of Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti, alleging that he was compelled to step down by senior Congress leaders. A delegation led by Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, submitted the petition on Sunday, urging the Governor not to accept the resignation and to order an inquiry into the episode.
The BJP delegation alleged that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president B.K. Hariprasad, and MLC Saleem Ahmed — who is believed to be the preferred candidate for the post of Chairman — visited Mr. Horatti's office and pressured him to resign immediately. The party claimed that Mr. Horatti had wanted to submit his resignation during the forthcoming Monsoon Session, but the Congress leaders allegedly forced him to act against his will and in haste.
Describing the alleged conduct as "illegal and anti-Constitutional," the BJP leaders said the Governor must not give effect to the resignation. They demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to Mr. Horatti's decision, as well as legal action against the Congress leaders accused of exerting undue influence.
Mr. Horatti is a senior legislator who has served as the Chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council, the upper house of the state legislature. His resignation, if accepted, would create a vacancy in a key constitutional position. The timing is significant as the state is gearing up for the Monsoon Session, a period when legislative business is expected to be intense.
Under the Constitution, the Governor acts as the head of the state and has the authority to accept or reject the resignation of the Council Chairman. Since the resignation is currently pending with Mr. Gehlot, his decision will be crucial. The Governor's office has not yet issued any statement on the petition, and it remains unclear whether he will order an inquiry or accept the resignation.
The Congress party has also remained silent on the BJP's allegations so far. Neither Chief Minister Shivakumar nor any of the other named leaders have publicly responded to the claims. The BJP's allegations are thus unverified, and the party's account of events has not been independently confirmed.
This development marks the latest instance of friction between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP in Karnataka. Since the Congress came to power after the 2023 Assembly elections, the two parties have clashed repeatedly on issues of legislative procedure, governance, and appointments. The BJP has often accused the Congress of resorting to undemocratic tactics to consolidate power, while the Congress has dismissed such charges as politically motivated. The BJP, which has been in opposition in the state since 2023, has consistently raised questions about the Congress government's handling of the Council.
The Governor's response to the petition is now being awaited. The Monsoon Session of the Karnataka Legislature is expected to be a stormy affair, and the controversy over Mr. Horatti's resignation could further intensify the political confrontation in the state. The Congress government has not yet responded to the allegations, and the BJP's demand for an inquiry will likely be a key issue in the coming days.
