Karnataka High Court annuls election of Congress MLA KY Nanjegowda, allowing appeal to the Supreme Court.
The Karnataka High Court has annulled the election of Congress MLA KY Nanjegowda, directing a recount of the votes cast in his Malur constituency during the 2023 Assembly elections. This decision was reported by PTI on Tuesday and stems from an election petition lodged by KS Manjunath Gowda, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate who contested against Nanjegowda.
The bench, headed by Justice R Devadas, has stayed its ruling for a period of 30 days. This pause provides Nanjegowda an opportunity to challenge the court’s decision in the Supreme Court. Should the Supreme Court choose not to intervene, the Malur constituency seat will be declared vacant.
Nanjegowda’s victory was initially secured by a narrow margin of 248 votes, a significant reduction compared to his previous win in the 2018 state elections, where he had triumphed over KS Manjunath Gowda by a substantial margin of 17,915 votes. The allegations raised by the petitioner included claims of irregularities during the counting process, which led to the court’s involvement.
The 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections saw the Congress party achieving a notable victory, securing 135 out of the 224 seats. In contrast, the BJP managed to win 66 seats, while the Janata Dal (Secular) obtained 19. The outcome of the legal proceedings regarding Nanjegowda’s election could potentially impact the political landscape within the Kolar district and the broader dynamics of the Assembly.
This case underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding election integrity and the processes involved in maintaining fair democratic practices. As the situation unfolds, the legal interpretations and outcomes will be closely monitored by both political parties and constituents alike.
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