Congress Pushes for Leadership Change in Karnataka Legislative Council
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is negotiating the exit of Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti to make way for Saleem Ahmed. The move comes as Congress secures a clear majority in the upper house and seeks to avoid a formal no-confidence motion.
Key takeaways
- Congress has officially named Saleem Ahmed as their candidate to lead the Karnataka Legislative Council.
- Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar met with Basavaraj Horatti twice to request his voluntary resignation to avoid a no-confidence motion.
- Chairman Horatti has requested until August 14 to deliberate on the request after consulting with political colleagues.
- The Congress party now commands a majority in the house, with their strength expected to rise to 43 members soon.
Political Maneuvering in Bengaluru
The Congress party has officially nominated senior leader Saleem Ahmed for the position of Chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council, triggering a diplomatic push to secure the resignation of the incumbent, Basavaraj Horatti. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar personally intervened, meeting with Mr. Horatti late Wednesday night at his residence in the presence of several cabinet ministers and legislators. This meeting followed an initial request made by the Chief Minister on August 4.
The Standoff Over Resignation
Despite reports that he had already agreed to step down, Mr. Horatti clarified on Thursday that his final decision remains pending. Speaking to the media, the Chairman expressed his displeasure with the current situation. While he acknowledged the Chief Minister's request to vacate the post before the Monsoon Session begins on August 13, he has requested until August 14 to consult with colleagues before providing a formal response. The government aims to secure a voluntary resignation to avoid the procedural friction of a no-confidence motion against the chamber's most senior member.
Legislative Math and Party Pressure
The push for leadership change is fueled by the Congress party's strengthened position in the 75-member house. Following recent electoral victories, the party has achieved a clear majority. The Congress currently holds a significant lead, and its strength is expected to reach 43 members once four vacant government-nominated seats are filled. Additionally, member A.V. Gayatri Shanthegowda is slated for her swearing-in this Friday. Government sources indicate that internal pressure to reward aspiring party leaders is driving the timeline for this transition.
Opposition Criticism
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticized the optics of the negotiations. Opposition leaders took issue with the Chairman visiting the Chief Minister's residence, characterizing the presence of half a dozen cabinet ministers as an attempt to corner the veteran leader. Mr. Horatti confirmed that during the midnight meeting, the Chief Minister cited respect for his seniority as the reason for seeking a voluntary exit rather than pursuing a forced removal via legislative vote.
Source: The Hindu — National
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