Karnataka LoP Ashoka accuses Congress of forcing Council chairman's exit
Synopsis
Karnataka's opposition leader R. Ashoka has accused Congress workers of barging into Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti's office and forcing him to sign a resignation letter — denying the eight-time elected senior-most legislator even the dignity of a farewell address. The episode has ignited a political firestorm ahead of the upcoming legislative session.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka Opposition Leader R.
Ashoka accused Congress of forcing the resignation of Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti on 7 August .
Ashoka alleged Congress members entered Horatti's office unannounced, brought letterheads, and pressured him to sign a resignation.
Horatti has been continuously elected eight times and is the senior-most member across both Houses of the Karnataka legislature.
Ashoka also alleged irregularities in the KPSC , questioned ₹5,000 crore under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, and raised the Mekedatu project stalemate.
The opposition has vowed to raise the matter formally in the Legislative Council , signalling a confrontational session ahead.
Karnataka Opposition Leader R. Ashoka on Friday, 7 August accused the Congress government in the state of indulging in what he called 'goondaism', alleging that Congress leaders forcibly obtained the resignation of Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti. The accusation came after Ashoka met Horatti in Bengaluru and subsequently addressed reporters.
What Allegedly Happened
According to Ashoka, Congress members entered Horatti's office without prior notice, brought their own letterheads, typed a resignation letter, and pressured him to sign it. Ashoka claimed Horatti had previously indicated he would step down voluntarily on 14 August, after formally thanking the House — an opportunity he was allegedly denied.
'No one in the history of the Legislative Council has been insulted like this. This is a black mark on the state government and an insult to the entire House,' Ashoka said. He added that Horatti was 'currently in deep sorrow.'
Who Is Basavaraj Horatti
Basavaraj Horatti is described as the senior-most member across both Houses of the Karnataka legislature, having been continuously elected eight times. Ashoka noted that Horatti had presided over sessions 'without blemish', making the manner of his exit all the more significant in the opposition's framing.
Broader Allegations Against the Congress Government
Ashoka used the occasion to level a series of additional charges against the ruling Congress. He alleged that the state government was engaged in 'unconstitutional work' and accused it of failing drought-hit districts — particularly in central Karnataka — without declaring drought or releasing relief, while the leadership undertook a Delhi visit.
He further alleged that the Bidadi Township project was being used to acquire farmers' land for what he described as the 'real estate mafia', affecting roughly 10 lakh areca, mango, coconut, and other trees. He also claimed a major irregularity had occurred in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), with bribe money allegedly reaching ministers' homes.
Ashoka questioned the status of ₹5,000 crore under the state's Gruha Lakshmi scheme and accused the government of cutting ration cards for low-income households. He also alleged that the Centre had cleared the path for the Mekedatu project, yet the Congress government had not moved to implement it.
Constitutional Objection
Ashoka further alleged that the Speaker's name had been placed on Congress party letterheads, calling it unconstitutional. He vowed to mount a formal struggle against this practice within the Legislative Council. He also alleged that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, whom he accused of having 'snatched' the post by ousting Siddaramaiah, was failing to provide proper administration.
What Comes Next
The resignation of the Council Chairman ahead of the legislative session adds a charged political dimension to the upcoming proceedings. The Congress government has not issued a public response to Ashoka's allegations as of the time of this report. The opposition has signalled it will raise the matter inside the Council, and the episode is likely to set a confrontational tone for the session.
Point of View
Not merely a political squabble. If Ashoka's account holds, it points to a ruling party willing to bypass legislative convention when the arithmetic demands it. What is notable is the timing: the resignation comes just ahead of a session, suggesting the Congress may be seeking tighter procedural control of the upper house. The broader allegations — KPSC irregularities, Gruha Lakshmi funds, Bidadi land acquisition — are familiar BJP talking points, but the Council chairman episode gives them a concrete institutional hook that is harder to dismiss. The Congress government's silence so far only amplifies the opposition's narrative.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti resign?
According to Opposition Leader R. Ashoka, Horatti did not resign voluntarily — Congress members allegedly entered his office without notice, brought letterheads, and pressured him to sign a resignation letter. The Congress government has not publicly responded to these allegations.
Who is Basavaraj Horatti?
Basavaraj Horatti is the Chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council and the senior-most member across both Houses of the state legislature, having been continuously elected eight times. Ashoka described his tenure as having been conducted 'without blemish.'
What did R. Ashoka mean by 'goondaism'?
Ashoka used the term 'goondaism' to characterise what he described as Congress members forcibly entering Horatti's office and coercing him into signing a resignation — bypassing the dignity and procedure expected of interactions with a constitutional office-holder.
What other allegations did Ashoka make against the Karnataka government?
Ashoka alleged a scam in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), questioned ₹5,000 crore under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, accused the government of land-grabbing under the Bidadi Township project, and criticised the failure to implement the Mekedatu project or declare drought relief for central Karnataka.
What happens next in the Karnataka Legislative Council?
The opposition has vowed to formally raise the issue of Horatti's resignation and the alleged use of the Speaker's name on Congress letterheads during the upcoming legislative session. The episode is expected to set a confrontational tone for the proceedings.
