Will Decide On Resignation In Next Few Days: Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman To News18

Last Updated:March 25, 2025, 13:59 IST

Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti to News18: “In my 45-year career, this has hurt me deeply. On March 19, 20 and 21, it was impossible to control the House. I have seen so many chairmen and 18 chief ministers."

Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti said Horatti said his close associates have urged him not to step down. (PTI File)

Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti is looking to resign as he is upset with the way the members of the upper house have been conducting themselves, which he says has brought down the sanctity and “ethics" of the house.

“I have thought about resigning which I expressed and will take a decision in the next few days," he said, adding that he has signed a resignation letter in his possession.

“In my 45-year career, this has hurt me deeply. On March 19, 20 and 21, it was impossible to control the House. I have seen so many chairmen and 18 chief ministers. I have been in the House since 1980. It is very painful for me to conduct the House in such circumstances. So many people are watching the Upper House, and I am representing the teachers’ constituency. If we make a mistake, teachers will hold us accountable. I have always been very careful, secular, and have worked selflessly," he said.

‘CONDUCT OF MEMBERS DETERIORATING’

Recalling the events of those three days, Horatti said he was deeply disturbed by the behaviour of the members. “They passed eight bills without discussion amid the uproar. We are representing the people—whether it is the graduates’ constituency, teachers’ constituency, or the Assembly—but people are watching us. Even in 1986-92, when I was in the Council, we had Assembly members who would come and observe how we conducted proceedings. That was the level of decorum we maintained. But today, it is unfortunate to see how things have degraded. If this continues, what does the future hold? What will people say?"

Expressing concern over the deteriorating conduct of members in the Upper House, the eight-time MLC lamented that there was no respect left for senior leaders. “The house has become a platform for chaos and controversies and issues that bring down the dignity of the house like honey trap issues. These should not have been discussed on the floor of the house. The way the members have been protesting, throwing papers in the air, times have deteriorated. The respect for the Council which is the upper house has been lost," he said, explaining why he thought of resigning.

‘CM, GOVERNOR TELLING ME TO RECONSIDER’

Horatti, however, noted that his close associates have urged him not to step down. “I am thinking I should resign because it has hurt me that much. But I have been receiving calls from the Chief Minister, the Governor, and other senior leaders asking me not to step down. I am yet to make my decision. I am having a meeting on March 28, and it will be decided then," he told News18.

Horatti added that even his deputy chairman shared his concerns and had indicated that he too would resign if Horatti stepped down.

THE HONEY TRAP CONTROVERSY

On the honey trap controversy that rocked the House, Horatti questioned the need for continuous uproar when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had already announced an inquiry. “When the CM has assured that there will be a thorough investigation, what was the need to continue the chaos? It could have been handled better," he said.

He stressed that such issues had diminished the sanctity of the House. “This is what hurts me the most. We are answerable to the people of the state. Such topics should not be discussed on the floor of the House. If the CM has promised an inquiry and has said that those responsible will be exposed, the matter should have ended there. This shows how ethics have declined in the working of both the Upper and Lower Houses of the Karnataka Legislature," he said.

News politics Will Decide On Resignation In Next Few Days: Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman To News18