Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Horatti's resignation triggers political storm in Karnataka
In the Indian state of Karnataka, there is a big meeting place called the Legislative Council.
The Speaker is the person who leads that meeting place and keeps things fair.
A man named Basavaraj Horatti was the Speaker, but now he has quit his job.
He wanted to say goodbye to the members on August 14 and then resign.
Instead, he resigned on August 7, much earlier than planned.
Mr. Horatti says the Chief Minister, D K Shivakumar, told him to resign right away.
Some leaders from the BJP and JDS parties went to the Governor, Thawar Chand Gehlot, to complain.
They said Mr. Horatti was forced to quit and the proper rules were not followed.
They asked the Governor not to accept the resignation.
Now people in the state's politics are arguing about this decision.
Basavaraj Horatti resigned as Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Council, reportedly on the advice of Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
Horatti has written to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, saying he planned to resign in the House on August 14 after thanking members.
The Chief Minister, the KPCC President and several MLCs allegedly entered his chamber after a new MLC was sworn in and instructed him to resign on August 7.
A BJP and JDS delegation told the Governor that Horatti was compelled to resign and that the resignation was not presented according to House procedure.
The ruling Congress holds a majority in the 75-member Legislative Council and is preparing to claim the Speaker's post.
- Who
- Basavaraj Horatti, Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Council; Chief Minister D K Shivakumar; Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot; and leaders of the BJP and JDS.
- What
- Horatti's resignation as Legislative Council Speaker under disputed circumstances, with claims that he was compelled to step down.
- When
- Horatti resigned on August 7; he had planned to resign on August 14.
- Where
- Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
- Why
- Alleged pressure from the Chief Minister amid the ruling Congress's plan to claim the Speaker's post in the 75-member Council.
Ruling Congress-led government
BJP-JDS opposition
Timing of the resignation
Ruling Congress-led government
The Chief Minister, KPCC President and several MLCs reportedly directed Horatti to resign immediately on August 7 after a new MLC was sworn in.
BJP-JDS opposition
Horatti says he planned to call a Council session on August 14, thank the members and only then resign, and was left astonished by being forced to step down early.
Validity of the resignation
Ruling Congress-led government
The Congress holds a majority in the 75-member Council and is preparing to claim the Speaker's post, treating the resignation as valid.
BJP-JDS opposition
The BJP and JDS delegation argued the resignation was not presented according to House procedure and therefore should not be accepted by the Governor.
- Speaker
- Basavaraj Horatti
- Chief Minister
- D K Shivakumar
- Governor
- Thawar Chand Gehlot
- Legislative Council size
- 75 members
- Planned resignation date
- August 14 (inside the House)
- Actual resignation date
- August 7
- Opposition complainants
- BJP and JDS delegation
- Location
- Bengaluru, Karnataka