Karnataka Council Chairman Horatti meets CM Shivakumar amid no-confidence motion threat
Synopsis
Karnataka’s political drama over the Legislative Council Chair took a sharp turn on 7 August as Congress moved toward a no-confidence motion against incumbent Chairman Basavaraj Horatti after he refused to give a firm resignation date — despite a direct message from the Chief Minister that the party high command had ordered him to step down.
Key Takeaways
Basavaraj Horatti met CM D.K.
Shivakumar at his Sadashivanagar residence on 7 August amid mounting pressure to resign as Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman.
Horatti, who had earlier set 14 August as his resignation date, is now reportedly seeking more time before stepping down.
Congress MLC Ivan D’Souza is reportedly drafting a no-confidence motion notice to be submitted to the Karnataka Legislative Council .
The party has named senior leader Saleem Ahmed as its candidate for the Council Chairman’s post, drawing criticism from the BJP over breach of convention.
Horatti accused the Congress of disrespecting a constitutional office, saying both CM Shivakumar and former CM Siddaramaiah conveyed the high command’s directive to resign.
Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti met Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar at his residence in Sadashivanagar, Bengaluru on Friday, 7 August, as the ruling Indian National Congress (Congress) government moved closer to filing a no-confidence motion against him. The meeting came amid reports that Congress was preparing to submit a formal notice against Horatti later in the day, following his reluctance to commit to a resignation deadline.
What Happened at the Meeting
Horatti, who had earlier announced he would vacate the Chairman's post by 14 August, is now reportedly seeking additional time before stepping down. After the closed-door discussion with the Chief Minister, Horatti left the residence visibly displeased, according to eyewitness accounts.
Speaking to reporters outside Shivakumar's residence, Horatti made clear he was not backing down. “I stand by what I said the other day. If they want to move a no-confidence motion, let them do so. They can proceed in accordance with the law,” he said.
Congress Moves Toward No-Confidence Motion
With Horatti declining to give a firm commitment on his resignation, Congress insiders say the party has begun formal preparations to move a no-confidence motion against him. Congress MLC Ivan D’Souza is reportedly drafting the notice, which is expected to be submitted to the Karnataka Legislative Council.
According to party sources, the Congress leadership is concerned that Horatti has allegedly acted in a partisan manner — specifically, by consulting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders before making key decisions as Chairman. Horatti is a BJP member occupying the Council Chair, a legacy of the previous government.
Background: How the Crisis Escalated
The controversy intensified after Congress announced senior leader Saleem Ahmed as its candidate for the Council Chairman’s post, including his name in the list of new ministers. The BJP criticised the move as a breach of convention, arguing it is not customary to name a replacement while the incumbent Chair still holds office. The party maintained that the Chairman’s post carries constitutional sanctity and must not be reduced to a partisan transaction.
On Thursday, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President B.K. Hariprasad met Horatti at his official residence for discussions, signalling that the party had been applying pressure through multiple channels before escalating to a formal motion.
Horatti’s Grievance
Horatti has not concealed his sense of injury over how the episode has unfolded. “It is not right to show such disrespect to a constitutional post or to hijack it. The Chief Minister told me that there was an order from the high command and, therefore, I should resign. Siddaramaiah also told me that he would not speak to anyone regarding the issue,” he said.
He added that despite resigning as Chairman, he intended to remain active in the Council as an ordinary member. “I have been deeply hurt by the remarks that expressed a lack of confidence in me. I do not wish to continue in such an atmosphere, and that is why I have decided to resign,” Horatti said — even as he sought more time before formalising that decision.
What Comes Next
The no-confidence notice, once submitted, will set off a constitutional process in the Legislative Council. The outcome will determine whether Congress can install Saleem Ahmed as the new Chairman before the political calendar tightens. All eyes are now on whether Horatti will resign voluntarily before the motion is formally tabled, or whether Karnataka’s upper house faces a rare floor test over its presiding officer.
Point of View
Driven by high-command diktat, risks normalising the weaponisation of constitutional offices. The real loser here is the institution itself.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Congress moving a no-confidence motion against Karnataka Council Chairman Horatti?
Congress is preparing a no-confidence motion against Chairman Basavaraj Horatti because he has declined to give a firm commitment to resign despite a reported directive from the party high command. The ruling party also alleges that Horatti acted in a partisan manner by consulting BJP leaders before making key decisions as Chairman.
What did Horatti say after meeting CM Shivakumar on 7 August?
Horatti told reporters he stood by his earlier position and was unfazed by the threat of a no-confidence motion. “If they want to move a no-confidence motion, let them do so. They can proceed in accordance with the law,” he said, while leaving the Chief Minister’s residence visibly displeased.
Who is Congress’s candidate for the Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman’s post?
Congress has named senior leader Saleem Ahmed as its candidate for the Council Chairman’s post, announcing his name alongside a list of new ministers. The BJP has criticised this as a breach of convention, arguing it is improper to name a replacement while the incumbent still holds the chair.
What is Horatti’s grievance over the episode?
Horatti has said he feels deeply hurt by the manner in which the Congress has handled the issue, calling it disrespectful to a constitutional office. He disclosed that CM Shivakumar conveyed a high-command order for his resignation and that former CM Siddaramaiah refused to intervene on his behalf.
What happens next in the Karnataka Council Chairman dispute?
If Congress submits the no-confidence notice, a constitutional process will be triggered in the Karnataka Legislative Council. Horatti could still pre-empt the motion by resigning voluntarily. The outcome will determine whether Saleem Ahmed can be installed as the new Chairman in the near term.
