Overview

• Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot nominated Arathi Krishna, F. H. Jakkappanavar, journalist K. Shivakumar, and former MLC Ramesh Babu to fill four Council vacancies.
• The appointments raise Congress numbers to 37 in the 75-member House, leaving it one short of a simple majority over a combined BJP–JD(S) tally of 36.
• The vacancies arose from the resignation of C. P. Yogeshwar and the retirements of K. A. Thippeswamy, U. B. Venkatesh, and Prakash Rathod.
• Ramesh Babu fills the remainder of Puttanna’s term through July 2026, with party sources indicating he could be considered again after the nine-month stint.
• Congress sources say the party is weighing a move in Belagavi to replace Chairman Basavaraj Horatti and may seek support from Independent MLC Lakhan Jarkiholi, even as the selections have fueled unease in the D. K. Shivakumar camp.