Basavaraj Horatti to resign as K’taka Council Chairman on Aug 14

Bengaluru, Aug 6 (IANS) Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti has said he will resign from his post and announced that he will officially submit his resignation on August 14.

The Congress party has announced senior leader Saleem Ahmed as its candidate for the post while releasing the list of new ministers. The move has triggered controversy, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticising the decision, saying it is not tradition to announce a candidate for the Council Chairman’s post while the Chair is still occupied.

The party maintained that the Chairman’s post carries constitutional sanctity and should be respected above party politics.

KPCC President B.K. Hariprasad met Horatti at his official residence on Thursday and held discussions.

Horatti said the Karnataka Legislature’s monsoon session is scheduled to commence on August 13, with the first day devoted to condolence references for departed dignitaries.

He said he would resign as Chairman on August 14, immediately after the election to the post of Deputy Chairman on the second day of the session.

Horatti said Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar informed him that the Congress high command took the decision.

“The Chief Minister made it clear that this was the final decision of the Congress high command and requested me to step down as Chairman. I have agreed to his request,” he said.

Expressing displeasure over the developments, Horatti said it was inappropriate to undermine the dignity of a constitutional office in such a manner.

“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.

Horatti added that even after resigning as Chairman, he would continue to participate in the proceedings of the Legislative 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,” he said.

–IANS

mka/dan