Karnataka's Former Legislative Council Chairman Accuses CM of Pressuring Him to Resign

HUBBALLI: Former Karnataka Legislative Council chairman Basavaraj Horatti has reiterated that he was pressured by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to resign from the chairman’s post before the agreed date, saying the development has deeply hurt him. He also criticised the alleged decision to announce his successor’s name on a party letterhead, calling it inappropriate. Speaking to the media here on Tuesday, Horatti said he had earlier discussed the matter with the chief minister and agreed to resign on August 14 after a formal farewell, and even prepared his resignation letter accordingly. Stating that the situation, however, changed after the August 7 oath-taking ceremony, the former Council chairman said Shivakumar and several others visited his office and asked him to resign immediately. “I told the Chief Minister that I would resign on August 14, but he insisted that I resign that day itself. I had no option but to sign and submit the resignation letter,” Horatti said. Horatti claimed the CM had called him even when he was undergoing treatment in hospital and asked him to step down. The eight-time MLC questioned the manner in which his resignation was sought, stating that the chairman of the Council cannot simply be asked to step down. He said removal from the post should happen through a no-confidence motion in the House. Stating that he has not yet received any communication from the Governor on his resignation, Horatti expressed disappointment with the state government, saying he had served in the legislature for 46 years and was deeply hurt by the way his resignation was handled.