Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti to Resign on August 14

August 6, 2026

Bengaluru, August 6: Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti has announced his resignation. He stated that he will officially submit his resignation on August 14.

Notably, the Congress party has released a list of new ministers, naming senior leader Saleem Ahmed for the chairman position.

This decision has sparked controversy. The BJP criticized the move, arguing that announcing a candidate for the chairmanship while still in office goes against tradition. They contend that the chairmanship is constitutionally sacred and should be above party politics.

Meanwhile, KPCC President B.K. Hariprasad met with Basavaraj Horatti at his official residence on Thursday to discuss the situation.

Horatti mentioned that the Karnataka Assembly’s monsoon session will commence on August 13. The first day of the session will be dedicated to memorial services for deceased dignitaries. He confirmed that he would resign from the chairmanship on August 14, immediately after the election of the vice-chairman.

Horatti revealed that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar informed him that this decision was made by the Congress high command. He stated that the Chief Minister made it clear that it was a final decision from the high command and requested him to resign. Horatti accepted the request.

Expressing his displeasure over the developments, Horatti remarked that undermining the dignity of a constitutional position in this manner is inappropriate. He emphasized that disrespecting or usurping a constitutional position is not acceptable. The Chief Minister indicated that the order came from the high command, and Siddaramaiah also told him that he would not discuss the matter with anyone.

Horatti added that even after resigning from the chairmanship, he will continue to participate in the proceedings of the Legislative Council as an ordinary member.

He expressed that he was deeply hurt by comments questioning his trustworthiness. “I do not wish to work in such an environment, which is why I have decided to resign,” he stated.