Archive · 10 Aug 2026
BJP petitions Karnataka governor over Basavaraj Horatti's 'forced resignation'
In the Indian state of Karnataka, lawmakers help make decisions for the people.
Basavaraj Horatti was the chairperson of the state's Legislative Council, a group that helps run the government.
On August 7, he resigned from that job.
The BJP, one of India's political parties, believes he was forced out by leaders of the Congress party.
The BJP went to the governor, Thaawarchand Gehlot, to complain, calling the pressure 'goondaism and illegal pressure.'
They also said Congress leaders typed Horatti's resignation letter themselves.
But Karnataka's Chief Minister, D K Shivakumar, who is from the Congress party, said the BJP is misusing the governor's office to create a 'constitutional crisis.'
Now the governor has to decide what to do with the BJP's complaint.
The two parties disagree, and the story is still developing.
Basavaraj Horatti resigned as chairperson of Karnataka's Legislative Council on August 7.
The Karnataka BJP petitioned Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, alleging Congress leaders used 'goondaism and illegal pressure' to force the resignation.
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar accused the BJP of trying to 'create a constitutional crisis by misusing the governor's office.'
A BJP delegation of MLCs led by Chalawady Narayanswamy urged the governor to reject Horatti's resignation and sought action against Shivakumar and B K Hariprasad.
The BJP's petition also alleged Congress leaders misused Horatti's letterhead and typed his resignation letter themselves.
- Who
- Basavaraj Horatti, the Karnataka BJP, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, and Congress president B K Hariprasad
- What
- The BJP petitioned the governor alleging Congress leaders forced Horatti's resignation from the Legislative Council chairpersonship using 'goondaism and illegal pressure.'
- When
- On and after August 7, the date of Horatti's resignation
- Where
- Karnataka
- Why
- The BJP claims Congress used pressure and misused Horatti's letterhead; Congress says the BJP is misusing the governor's office to create a constitutional crisis.
Congress (ruling party) view
BJP (opposition) view
Reason for Horatti's resignation
Congress (ruling party) view
CM D K Shivakumar denies wrongdoing and says the BJP is trying to 'create a constitutional crisis by misusing the governor's office.'
BJP (opposition) view
The BJP claims Congress leaders used 'goondaism and illegal pressure' to force Basavaraj Horatti to resign as Legislative Council chairperson.
Role of the governor
Congress (ruling party) view
Congress views the BJP's petition to the governor as a misuse of the governor's office rather than a legitimate complaint.
BJP (opposition) view
The BJP urges the governor to reject Horatti's resignation and take action against Shivakumar, B K Hariprasad, and others.
Handling of the resignation letter
Congress (ruling party) view
No direct response from Congress to the letterhead allegation is reported in the articles.
BJP (opposition) view
The BJP alleges Congress misused Horatti's letterhead and that its leaders typed the resignation letter themselves.
- Resignation date
- August 7
- Office resigned from
- Chairperson, Karnataka Legislative Council
- Petitioner
- Karnataka BJP
- Governor petitioned
- Thaawarchand Gehlot
- BJP allegation
- 'Goondaism and illegal pressure' by Congress leaders
- Congress response
- BJP trying to 'create a constitutional crisis by misusing the governor's office' (CM D K Shivakumar)
- Action sought against
- D K Shivakumar and B K Hariprasad
- Opposition leader in Council
- Chalawady Narayanswamy