Published May 03, 2026 | 5:31 PM ⚊ Updated May 03, 2026 | 5:31 PM
Representational image. Credit: iStock
Synopsis: In Sringeri, a High Court-ordered recount of 2023 postal ballots cut Congress MLA TD Rajegowda’s margin, reducing his tally by 255 votes. BJP’s DN Jeevaraj gained ground, sparking celebrations, though no official winner has been declared. Allegations of tampering and conspiracy claims from both Congress and BJP have intensified the political battle, with legal remedies expected.
Three years after the ballots were cast, a Karnataka High Court-mandated recount of postal votes in the Sringeri Assembly constituency concluded in the early hours of Sunday, resulting in a reduced tally for the sitting Congress MLA.
During the 2023 Assembly Elections in Karnataka, sitting Congress MLA TD Rajegowda (59,171 votes) had won by a thin margin of 201 votes against BJP’s DN Jeevaraj (58,970 votes) in Sringeri. However, of the 1,822 postal ballots cast, 279 were initially rejected.
Jeevaraj challenged the legality of the election of Rajegowda in Karnataka High Court. In April 2026, the court directed the Returning Officer to re-verify the 279 rejected postal ballots polled in the elections for Sringeri constituency in 2023.
Following the recount on Sunday, Rajegowda’s tally has reduced by 255 votes, prompting celebrations by the BJP. The Returning Officer has submitted a report to the Election Commission for further decision.
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While speaking to the media after the recounting process, the Returning Officer said that in the 2023 postal ballot results, Jeevaraj had secured 692 votes, while Rajegowda had secured 569 votes.
However, after verification and recount, Jeevaraj’s tally came down to 690, while Rajegowda’s count stood at 314, a reduction of 255.
In fact, even before the recounting began on Saturday, Rajegowda and other party workers flagged that the locks and seals on several ballot boxes in the strong room were allegedly tampered with.
“The High Court on 6 April had ordered re-verification and recounting. As per that order, the exercise has been completed. The court order did not direct us to announce the results; it also did not refer to EVM votes. The order was specific only to postal ballots,” the officer told reporters.
After the re-verification and recounting as per the court order, the strong room was sealed, and a report was sent to the Election Commission.
No formal declaration of a winner has been made yet. After the declaration of results, any change in an elected representative’s status can only be undertaken pursuant to a court order.
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Meanwhile, the sitting Congress MLA has expressed concerns of vote tampering during the recount, claiming that ballots cast in his favour were wrongly invalidated.
“There are markings on the ballots polled in my favour. Different ink has been used; it is clearly visible. During the 2023 counting, all those ballots were deemed valid in the presence of counting agents of all parties. Now, such votes have been declared invalid, bringing down my tally,” Rajegowda told reporters.
His supporters had earlier celebrated on Saturday, claiming the results were in their favour.
While BJP leaders are claiming that their candidate has won, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar alleged a “big conspiracy”.
“No one can imagine that they (the BJP) will indulge in such criminal activity. This is evidence of how former MLA Jeevaraj misused officials close to him. I have received a report, and I am studying it. It is systematic criminal activity,” he told reporters.
Shivakumar further said that the party would pursue legal remedies as well.
Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra alleged that the Congress was pressuring officials not to declare the results.
“There appears to be a conspiracy by the ruling Congress to delay the announcement of results to allow Rajegowda time to approach the High Court,” Vijayendra said while speaking to reporters.
Some BJP leaders have started posting ‘congratulatory’ messages for Jeevaraj on social media.
ಶೃಂಗೇರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಅಸಿಂಧು – ಸತ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಜಯ!
ವೋಟ್ ಚೋರ್ ಕೌನ್ ಹೈ?
ರಾಹುಲ್ ಗಾಂಧಿ ಹೈ!ಶೃಂಗೇರಿ ವಿಧಾನಸಭಾ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದ ಮರು ಎಣಿಕೆ ಫಲಿತಾಂಶ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಪಕ್ಷದ ಕರಾಳ ಮುಖವನ್ನ ಮತ್ತೊಮ್ಮೆ ಬಯಲು ಮಾಡಿದೆ. ಜನಾದೇಶಕ್ಕೆ ಮೋಸ ಮಾಡಿ ಅಕ್ರಮವಾಗಿ ಗೆಲುವು ಸಾಧಿಸಲು ಅಧಿಕಾರ ದುರ್ಬಳಕೆ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಪಕ್ಷಕ್ಕೆ ನ್ಯಾಯಾಂಗ… pic.twitter.com/P3gvGa9AmG
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) May 3, 2026
In a post on X, Leader of Opposition R Ashoka said, “Congress, which has been illegitimately enjoying power for the past three years, now faces humiliation. This is not merely the victory of one individual; it is the victory of democracy. A hard-earned triumph for the value of the votes cast by Sringeri’s voters.”
He accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of being a ‘vote thief’.
