Pro-tem chairman appointed after Horatti puts in papers as chairman

By NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: With Basavaraj Horatti facing techical issues in submitting his resignation from the post of Legislative Council chairman, the state government on Tuesday appointed Raghunath Rao Malkapure as pro-tem chairman of the Upper House. A notification to this effect was issued by the Governor on Tuesday.

Horatti is unable to submit his resignation as the post of deputy chairman is vacant. According to rules, members who intend to resign, must submit it only to the chairman or deputy chairman. Since the chairman wants to resign, there has to be a deputy chairman to accept it. After his resignation on Tuesday, Horatti is expected to join the BJP.

The state government therefore appointed senior BJP member Malkapure as pro-tem chairman till a regular chairman is appointed. Horatti is expected to meet the pro-tem chairman on Wednesday and submit his resignation afresh. He may then visit the BJP office to formally join the party in the presence of state leaders. His term of office will end on June 16 and he has been given the BJP ticket to contest again in the biennial election to the Legislative Council from the teachers’ constituency.