Congress likely to push for its own candidate for Council Chairman post

The Congress is expected to get a clear majority after the polls for seven Council seats to be elected by members of the Legislative Assembly scheduled on June 18

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The Congress is likely to push its candidates for the post of Chairman and Deputy Chairman in the Karnataka Legislative Council ahead of the Monsoon Session, expected to be held in July.Sources said that so far, the party had not tried to replace Chairman Basavaraj Horatti, the eight-time legislator and the senior most member of the House, since the Congress did not have a clear majority. Though there was speculation in January that the party would move to replace Mr. Horatti, sources said that the confusion over leadership had prevented such a move.“No, this move is likely to help the Congress accommodate legislators seeking Cabinet berths or other posts,” sources said.Numbers in CouncilThe Congress is expected to get a clear majority after the polls for seven Council seats to be elected by members of the Legislative Assembly scheduled on June 18. Currently, the Congress has 37 members in the 75-member Upper House and is likely to get the support of the lone Independent, Balachandra Jarkiholi.Also, the term of five more members who are nominated by the government will end in July, which will provide further boost to the Congress’s numbers in the Council.A long-time Janata Parivar leader, Mr. Horatti was elected to the Upper House on a BJP ticket. Along with the Chairman, the Congress will also seek to replace Deputy Chairman M.K. Pranesh, a BJP member.JD(S) likely to fieldWhile the Congress is assured of winning four seats and the BJP two seats, one seat is expected to be keenly fought as they do not have the required numbers to ensure the victory of their candidates. The Congress has already announced the names of four candidates, while the BJP is yet to do so.Janata Dal (Secular) sources said that the party is likely to field a candidate as part of the NDA alliance. “It may become difficult for the Congress to win the fifth seat as the alliance has a number close to the 29 vote mark required to ensure victory. B.M. Farooq could be fielded along with two BJP candidates,” sources said. The possibility of cross-voting for this seat is highly likely, sources said.Sources in the Congress said that though the party will contest the seat, it may not announce the name till the last moment. Published - June 04, 2026 09:22 pm IST