NEW DELHI/BENGALURU: Supreme Court on Thursday set aside the election of BJP’s MK Pranesh into the legislative council from the Chikkamagaluru local authorities’ constituency and declared Congress candidate AV Gayathri Shanthegowda the winner, upholding a vote-recount order of the Karnataka High Court.In the Dec 10, 2021 election, Pranesh was declared elected by a margin of six votes. With this win, Congress’ tally in the 75-member council stands at 40, consolidating its majority in the upper house. Pranesh was council deputy chairman since the 2021 election.This is the second victory for Congress after legal battles. In May, Supreme Court ordered Congress MLA TD Rajegowda to continue in office after a recount of postal ballots showed BJP candidate DN Jeevaraj ahead by 52 votes in Sringeri assembly constituency.A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi dismissed Pranesh’s special leave petition challenging the Karnataka HC Jan 29, 2025 order directing a recount of votes in the council polls.Gayathri will assume office after the Election Commission issues the notification. After the 2021 loss by a narrow margin, she challenged the result, alleging irregularities in counting, improper acceptance and rejection of ballot papers, violations of election rules and participation of nominated town panchayat members allegedly ineligible to vote in the election.While hearing Pranesh’s appeal, Supreme Court allowed the recount to proceed but directed that the outcome be placed before it in a sealed cover until the matter was decided.
