Karnataka BJP alleges Congress used 'goondagiri' to oust Council Chairman Horatti
Synopsis
The BJP has escalated its attack on the Karnataka Congress government, alleging that 20 to 25 legislators physically entered Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti's chamber and pressured him into resigning — with a replacement already nominated on Congress letterhead before he had even stepped down. The party calls it a 'black day' for parliamentary democracy.
Key Takeaways
A BJP delegation led by B.Y.
Ashoka , and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy met former Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti on 7 August in Bengaluru .
BJP alleges around 20 to 25 Congress legislators entered Horatti's office and pressured him into signing his resignation letter.
Hariprasad , Congress MLC Saleem Ahmed , and KPCC's Ramesh Babu were among those allegedly present during the pressure campaign.
BJP claims Congress had already nominated a replacement on party letterhead before Horatti formally resigned.
The Chief Minister's office allegedly arranged the letterhead used for the resignation letter, according to BJP.
BJP has vowed to continue its agitation, calling the episode a 'black day' for parliamentary democracy in Karnataka.
A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation led by Karnataka state president and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, along with Leaders of the Opposition R. Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, on Friday, 7 August met former Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti in Bengaluru and alleged that the Congress resorted to coercion and strong-arm tactics — described as 'goondagiri' — to force his resignation from the Chairman's post.
What the BJP Delegation Alleged
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy claimed that Horatti's resignation was extracted through political pressure and coercion, in violation of the conventions and rules governing the Legislative Council. He alleged that Congress had already nominated a replacement on party letterhead even before Horatti had formally stepped down — while he was still in office.
According to Narayanaswamy, Horatti told the BJP delegation he had 'no other option' but to resign. The BJP leader further alleged that around 20 to 25 legislators entered Horatti's office and pressured him into signing the resignation letter.
The Chief Minister's Office Named
Narayanaswamy also alleged that the Chief Minister's office arranged the letterhead used for the resignation, and that the letter was prepared before Horatti's signature was obtained. He named Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President B.K. Hariprasad, Congress MLC Saleem Ahmed, and KPCC Media and Communications Department Chairman Ramesh Babu as among those present in Horatti's chamber, allegedly applying sustained pressure that left him no room to refuse.
Sequence of Events, as Described by BJP
The BJP leader claimed that Horatti was away attending the swearing-in ceremony of MLC Gayathri Shanthegowda when Congress leaders allegedly entered his office and remained there for nearly two hours before securing the resignation under pressure. Narayanaswamy described the episode as a 'black day' for parliamentary democracy in Karnataka.
'What was once seen on the streets has now entered the Vidhana Soudha and even the Chairman's chamber,' Narayanaswamy said, adding that the incident amounted to an insult not only to Horatti but to every member of the Legislative Council and the institution itself.
BJP's Next Steps
The BJP said it would not allow the matter to rest, vowing to continue its agitation until what the party termed Congress's 'undemocratic actions' are exposed and appropriate action is taken. The Congress had not issued an official response to these allegations at the time of reporting. The episode is set to intensify political tensions in Karnataka's already fractious legislative landscape.
Point of View
If substantiated, point to a serious breach of legislative protocol — pre-drafting a resignation letter and nominating a successor before the incumbent has vacated office would represent an extraordinary overreach. But the party's account rests entirely on what Horatti reportedly told the delegation; Horatti himself has not independently spoken on record. Karnataka's Congress government, which commands a comfortable majority, had little procedural need for coercion — which raises the question of whether this is political theatre, a genuine institutional grievance, or both. Either way, the optics of 20-odd legislators crowding a Chairman's chamber are damaging, and the absence of a Congress rebuttal at the time of reporting only deepens the scrutiny.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Basavaraj Horatti resign as Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman?
According to the BJP, Horatti resigned under coercion after around 20 to 25 Congress legislators entered his office and pressured him into signing a resignation letter on 7 August. Horatti reportedly told the BJP delegation he had 'no other option.' The Congress had not publicly responded to these allegations at the time of reporting.
Who led the BJP delegation that met Horatti?
The delegation was led by Karnataka BJP state president and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, along with Leaders of the Opposition R. Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council.
What is 'goondagiri' and why is BJP using the term?
'Goondagiri' is a Hindi-Kannada term roughly translating to strong-arm or thug-like tactics. The BJP used it to characterise what it alleges was physical and political intimidation inside the Legislative Council Chairman's chamber at Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru.
Who does BJP allege was present during the pressure on Horatti?
The BJP named KPCC President B.K. Hariprasad, Congress MLC Saleem Ahmed, and KPCC Media and Communications Department Chairman Ramesh Babu as among those who allegedly remained in Horatti's office for nearly two hours before securing his resignation.
What action is the BJP planning over the Horatti resignation row?
The BJP has said it will not let the matter rest and will continue its agitation until what it calls Congress's 'undemocratic actions' are exposed and appropriate action is taken. The party has not yet specified the form or timeline of that agitation.
