Former Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti on Tuesday, 11 August alleged that he was compelled to sign his resignation letter without being given the opportunity to step down on his own terms, sparking a fresh political controversy in Hubballi. Horatti said he had not yet received any official confirmation from the Governor on whether his resignation had been accepted.

What Horatti Alleged

Speaking to reporters in Hubballi, Horatti said he had conveyed all relevant details to the Governor but was yet to receive any formal intimation. “The Governor has not given me any intimation. He has not stated whether I have been relieved or whether my resignation has been accepted. As far as I know, if I have been appointed as the pro tem Chairman, it means my resignation has been accepted,” he said.

Horatti maintained that he had no intention of creating a confrontation and had complied with the demand despite being deeply unhappy with the manner in which the matter was handled. “I am pained by the move of the state government. I have not done anything wrong. I am saddened. I have been in the House for 46 years and have rendered my services. I had to resign under a compulsive situation. I did not want a confrontational situation,” he said.

The Agreement He Claims Was Broken

Horatti claimed he had reached a clear understanding with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on the timing of his departure. According to Horatti, the plan was to complete obituary references on 13 August, hold the Vice Chairman election on 14 August, and allow him to formally express his gratitude to the House before tendering his resignation.

“What I had discussed with the Chief Minister was that on August 13, we would complete the obituary references and on August 14, the Vice Chairman would be elected. I had said that on that day, I would get an opportunity to convey my gratitude… after expressing my gratitude on that day, I would tender my resignation. I had also made an announcement to this effect,” he said. “There was an agreement between us in this regard,” Horatti maintained.

He further alleged that Chief Minister Shivakumar insisted he sign the resignation on the same day, leaving him with little choice but to comply.

How the Resignation Unfolded

Horatti had submitted his resignation as Chairman of the Upper House of the Karnataka state legislature on the preceding Friday. The resignation letter was subsequently shared by the Chief Minister’s Office. The development followed two meetings — one between Horatti and Chief Minister Shivakumar in the morning, and another at the Chairman’s office in the afternoon.

Senior Congress leaders, including Karnataka Congress President and MLC B.K. Hariprasad and MLC Saleem Ahmed — the party’s nominee for the Chairman’s post — were also present during the discussions. In his three-line resignation letter addressed to the Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council, Horatti stated that he was resigning of his own free will — a claim he now publicly contests.

Legislative Council Secretary Jyothi issued a notification shortly after, declaring the post of Chairman vacant.

Who Is Basavaraj Horatti

One of Karnataka’s longest-serving legislators, Horatti has been a member of the House for 46 years. His departure from the Chairman’s post, and the circumstances surrounding it, have drawn attention to the Congress government’s handling of institutional transitions in the state’s Upper House.

What Happens Next

With the Chairman’s post now officially vacant, the Karnataka Legislative Council is expected to proceed with the election of a new Chairman. Congress MLC Saleem Ahmed has been nominated by the party for the role. Horatti’s public allegations, however, are likely to keep the political pressure on Chief Minister Shivakumar’s government in the days ahead.