The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday set aside the election of Congress MLA from Malur in Kolar district, K Y Nanjegowda, and ordered recount of the votes polled in the 2023 Assembly elections. The order came from Justice R Devdas in response to a petition by K S Manjunath Gowda of the BJP, who had lost to Nanjegowda by a margin of 248 votes.
Manjunath had sought that all documents, videos and other material related to the election be placed before the court, in addition to pleading for recount of the votes.
During the hearing, Nanjegowda’s counsel had argued that his opponent’s allegations of “corrupt practices” on part of the returning officer and inconsistencies in vote tabulation were bereft of material facts. On the other hand, Manjunath’s counsel argued that the officer concerned intentionally didn’t take a decision on his client’s application for recount to assist Nanjegowda.
However, on a plea by Nanjegowda’s counsel, the court put its order on hold for 30 days to allow him to move the Supreme Court.
The detailed order from the High Court is still awaited.
Reacting to the High Court order, BJP leader in the Assembly, R Ashoka, called it “direct indictment” and wanted to know if Rahul Gandhi would now launch a “vote chori yatra” against Nanjegowda.