Archive · 14 Aug 2026
NDA's P.H. Poojar files nomination for Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman
A big group of people in Karnataka called the Legislative Council is choosing a new leader for their meetings.
The leader is called the Chairman.
Two people want this job.
One of them is P.H. Poojar, who is from a group of parties called the NDA.
Many of his party friends went with him when he gave in the paperwork to run for the job.
The other person is Salim Ahmed, who belongs to the Congress party.
He gave in his paperwork with the Chief Minister of Karnataka by his side.
The members will vote to choose the new Chairman on Friday.
Before all this, the old Chairman, Basavaraj Horatti, said he was sad because he had to leave his job even though he did not want to.
He said he worked in the house for 46 years and felt forced to resign.
P.H. Poojar, the NDA alliance candidate, filed his nomination for Chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council with Secretary Jyoti on Thursday.
Congress MLC Salim Ahmed also filed his nomination for the post, submitting papers in the presence of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
The election for the Chairman's post is expected to be held on Friday during the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Karnataka Legislature.
Former Chairman Basavaraj Horatti alleged he had to sign his resignation under compulsion and has not received confirmation from the Governor.
Poojar is a BJP MLC and entrepreneur-agriculturist from the Bagalkot-Vijayapura region who is active in North Karnataka politics.
- Who
- P.H. Poojar (NDA/BJP MLC) and Congress MLC Salim Ahmed, the two contenders for the Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman post.
- What
- Filing of nominations for the post of Chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council.
- When
- Nominations were filed on Thursday; the election is expected to be held on Friday during the Monsoon Session.
- Where
- Karnataka Legislative Council, Bengaluru.
- Why
- To elect a new Chairman following the resignation of former Chairman Basavaraj Horatti.
NDA / BJP
Congress
Chairman election contest
NDA / BJP
The NDA, backing P.H. Poojar, fielded him as its alliance candidate with support from its legislators in the Council.
Congress
The Congress, backing Salim Ahmed, filed his nomination in the presence of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
Horatti's resignation
NDA / BJP
Former Chairman Basavaraj Horatti says he signed his resignation under compulsion, was not allowed to resign on the day he planned, and is hurt by the state government's handling.
Congress
The state government proceeded with the succession process by appointing Horatti as pro-tem Chairman, which Horatti himself noted implies his resignation has been accepted, while he received no formal intimation from the Governor.
- NDA candidate
- P.H. Poojar (Prahlad H. Pujari)
- Congress candidate
- Salim Ahmed
- Nomination filed
- Thursday, with Legislative Council Secretary Jyoti
- Election expected
- Friday, during the Monsoon Session of the Karnataka Legislature
- Former Chairman
- Basavaraj Horatti
- NDA supporters present
- Opposition Leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Chief Whip N. Ravikumar, and other NDA legislators
- Congress filing
- Submitted in the presence of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar
- Poojar profile
- BJP MLC, entrepreneur and agriculturist from the Bagalkot-Vijayapura region