Karnataka Legislative Council Chairperson Basavaraj Horatti submitted his resignation from the post on August 7, making way for the Congress to have one of its own members to preside over the Upper House.

Congress has named its senior leader Saleem Ahmed as the candidate for the position. He is expected to be officially anointed Chairperson on August 14. Till such time, Mr. Horatti would continue as pro-tem Speaker.

There had been several rounds of talks with Mr. Horatti on the issue, with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar taking the lead in an effort to persuade him to resign of his own volition to avoid the embarrassment of a no-confidence motion. Congress now enjoys a majority in the 75-member Legislative Council.

While the monsoon session of the Karnataka legislature starts on August 13, Mr. Horatti had on August 6 told mediapersons that he would address the Council about the circumstances of his resignation before stepping down. However, after another round of talks with Mr. Shivakumar and other legislators, he submitted his resignation on August 7.

Speaking after a meeting with Mr. Horatti, the Chief Minister said that he would be designated pro-tem Speaker as per procedure and would preside over the session on August 13, and officially resign thereafter on August 14.

Mr. Horatti said he would appoint the Deputy Chairperson and submit his resignation to him. Currently, the post of Deputy Chairperson is vacant after M.K. Pranesh lost his position following a legal battle, over counting of votes, to A.V. Gayatri Shante Gowda of the Congress. The resignation submitted by Mr. Horatti has been accepted by the Council Secretary, in the absence of the Deputy Speaker. Incidentally, Ms. Shante Gowda was sworn in by Mr. Horatti on August 7.

The opposition BJP has taken exception to the manner in which Mr. Horatti is being ‘forced’ to step down. It has also taken exception to Mr. Horatti going to the Chief Minister’s residence for a meeting.

Mr. Horatti brushed aside the criticism and said, “I met the Chief Minister to thank him for co-operating for this long. I will conduct the House on August 13, appoint a Deputy Speaker and tender my resignation formally.”

Former minister Umashree is the Congress’ nominee for the post of Deputy Chairperson.

An eight-time MLC, Mr. Horatti has been a member of the Legislative Council for 46 years. He has two years remaining in his current term.