Leaders Across Party Lines Unite in Hubballi to Honor Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti

Hubballi: Setting aside political differences, leaders cutting across party lines on Saturday came together to honour Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti, praising his four-and-a-half-decade-long legislative career, unwavering commitment to teachers’ causes and his reputation as an ajata shatru a leader without enemies.

The felicitation ceremony, organised by the Basavaraj Horatti Felicitation Committee in Hubballi, became a show of rare cross-party warmth, with Speaker UT Khader, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, former Chief Ministers Basavaraj Bommai and Jagadish Shettar, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, and several legislators and ministers coming together to honour the veteran leader, often described as the enduring voice of North Karnataka.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he has shared a friendship spanning four decades with Basavaraj Horatti, who maintains cordial relations with leaders across party lines.

Referring to Horatti as ‘Horatada Horatti) (Horatti the crusader), Siddaramaiah said the record he has created from the teachers’ constituency is unlikely to be surpassed and noted that Horatti’s eight consecutive terms as a Legislative Council member is a world record.

“Horatti has been felicitated today beyond party affiliations. He is an ajātashatru (one without enemies) who enjoys goodwill across political parties and is known for his forthright speech and strong personality,” the Chief Minister said.

“He has never shown me undue favour or spoken on my behalf because of our friendship, and he will not do so in the future either. Though the government has a slender majority now, we may secure a clear majority in the next election, and until then he will continue in the post. The House is functioning smoothly, and he has never caused embarrassment to the government,” Siddaramaiah said.

“As Chairman, Horatti conducts the proceedings of the Council in a fair and impartial manner. He presides strictly in accordance with the rules. Members from all three parties in the Council hold him in high regard,” he said.

He recalled that when they were in the same party, Horatti had made sincere efforts to unite the JD(U) and JD(S), but the initiative did not succeed as senior leaders did not agree.

Describing Horatti as a “handsome teacher, intelligent politician and a sincere fighter,” Haveri MP and former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that Horatti has worked relentlessly as the voice of North Karnataka throughout his life.

He said Horatti was extremely firm on teachers’ issues and would not relent until justice was achieved even if it meant arguing with Chief Ministers. “There is no Chief Minister with whom he has not argued, including the present Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Yet, even in disagreement, friendship prevailed. Maintaining both self-respect and friendship together requires rare political skill, which Horatti possesses,” he said.

Referring to the Kalasa-Banduri agitation, Bommai recalled that though Horatti belonged to a different party at the time, he came to Navalgund and openly supported the movement. “We will never forget that gesture,” he said.