Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Aug 1: Congress candidate Gayathri Shanthegowda has emerged victorious by a margin of nine votes in the recount of the Chikkamagaluru Local Authorities' Legislative Council election. The result, which had been kept in a sealed cover, was announced following the Karnataka high court's directions, dealing a major setback to sitting BJP MLC and Legislative Council deputy chairman M K Pranesh.

In the Chikkamagaluru Local Authorities' Legislative Council election held in December 2021, BJP candidate M K Pranesh had won by a margin of six votes. However, Gayathri Shanthegowda challenged the result before the high court, objecting to the votes cast by nominated members.

Acting on the high court's directions, authorities were ordered to conduct a recount after excluding the votes of the nominated members.

Pranesh challenged the high court's order before the Supreme Court. However, he suffered another setback as the apex court dismissed his petition and upheld the direction for a recount.

Subsequently, in compliance with the court's order, a recount was conducted excluding the votes of the nominated members. Justice S G Pandit, in his single-judge bench order, declared Gayathri Shanthegowda elected by a margin of nine votes.

With the verdict, Gayathri Shanthegowda will serve the remaining one-and-a-half years of the current Legislative Council term.

Meanwhile, the court has directed the chairman of the Legislative Council to administer the oath of office to Gayathri Shanthegowda.

The verdict has also increased the strength of the ruling Congress in the 75-member Karnataka Legislative Council to 40 members.