Karnataka Council Chairman Horatti Resigns Under Threat of No-Confidence Vote

Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti resigned Friday, succumbing to pressure from the Congress government which had threatened to move a no-confidence motion against him. The move clears the way for the ruling party to secure control of the state's Upper House.

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I was asked to resign, so I tendered my resignation.

Horatti stated that the Congress government had pressured him to step down, warning of a no-confidence motion if he refused. He confirmed his resignation after meeting with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. "I was asked to resign, so I tendered my resignation," Horatti said, adding he was unsure of the specific reasons for the demand.

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Basavaraj Horatti has shown his magnanimity. It is commendable.

The Chief Minister's office confirmed the acceptance of Horatti's resignation and that Shivakumar had recommended to the Governor that Horatti continue in his role until an interim arrangement was made. Shivakumar praised Horatti's "magnanimity" during the transition, calling him one of the most senior leaders in the history of legislative councils.

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The ruling party wants me to resign. The CM spoke to me twice over the phone. On Wednesday, he called me for a personal meeting and told me that the Congress high command had directed him to ask me to quit. He said that if I didn’t resign, they would move a no-confidence motion against me.

The new deputy chairperson and chairperson are slated for election on August 14, just before the Karnataka legislature's monsoon session begins on August 13. Congress has nominated senior lawmaker Saleem Ahmed for chairperson and former minister Umashree for deputy chairperson. With these appointments, Congress will hold a majority in the 75-member Legislative Council.

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Once we have reached an agreement, what is the need for it? The no confidence motion is irrelevant. He has resigned now.