JDS' Basavaraj Horatti backed by BJP elected Karnataka Council chairperson amid Cong protest

News Network

February 9, 2021

Bengaluru, Feb 9: JD(S) MLC Basavaraj Horatti was elected as the new Chairperson of the Karnataka Legislative Council on Tuesday defeating Congress candidate.

The election took place in the midst of Congress leaders staging a protest in the Well of the House, against the passing of the Prevention of Cow Slaughter Bill. Congress argued that the Bill was passed in an 'undemocratic' manner overlooking their demand for the division of votes.

Notwithstanding their protest, the election was announced.

Even though Congress had fielded Naseer Ahmed, the party leaders refused to take part in the election process. As a result, the House declared Horatti as 'unanimously' elected.

Horatti was escorted to the Chairperson's seat and he took charge to his new post amidst a din. Congress leaders continued to stand in the Well of the House throughout the proceedings.

Horatti is a seven-time MLC, consecutively elected from Teachers' Constituency (West) since 1980. He has also served as the Science and Technology and Rural Development Minister in the Congress and JD(S) coalition government in 2004.

Later, in the 2006 BJP-JD(S) coalition, he held the Primary and Secondary Education, and Law and Parliamentary Affairs portfolios. He was nominated as pro-tem Chairperson of the Council for a brief period, during the Congress-JD(S) coalition in 2018.

In the 75 member house, BJP has strength of 31, Congress 28, JD(S) 13 one independent and one vacant.

BJP and JD(S) joined hands to defeat Congress candidate. The post fell vacant as Pratap Chand of Congress resigned after the ruling BJP moved a no confidence motion against him.

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Puttur's Healthcare Dream Cleared: State Finance Gives Nod for 300-Bed Hospital

News Network

December 2,2025

Puttur: The long-cherished dream of a government medical college in Puttur has moved a decisive step closer to reality, with the Karnataka State Finance Department granting its official approval for the construction of a new 300-bed hospital.

Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai announced the crucial development to reporters on Monday, confirming that the official communication from the finance department was issued on November 27. This 300-bed facility is intended to be the cornerstone for the establishment of the government medical college, a project announced in the state budget.

Fast-Track Implementation

The MLA outlined an aggressive timeline for the project:

• A Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the hospital is expected to be ready within 45 days.

• The tender process for the construction will be completed within two months.

Following the completion of the tender process, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the project.

"Setting up a medical college in Puttur is a historical decision by the Congress government in Karnataka," Rai stated. The project has an estimated budget allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for the medical college.

Focus on Medical Education Department

The MLA highlighted a key strategic move: requesting the government to implement the hospital construction through the Medical Education Department instead of the Health and Family Welfare Department. This is intended to streamline the entire process of establishing the full medical college, ensuring the facilities—including labs, operation theatres, and other necessary infrastructure—adhere to the strict guidelines set by the Medical Council of India (MCI). The proposed site for the project is in Bannur.

Rai also took the opportunity to address political criticism, stating that the government has fulfilled its promise despite "apprehensions" and "mocking and criticising" from opposition parties who had failed to take similar initiatives when they were in power. "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has kept his word," he added.

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