Sringeri recount row: Speaker says Raje Gowda will continue as MLA

Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader on Tuesday (May 12) said that since the Supreme Court had stayed the recount result of the Sringeri Legislative Assembly Constituency, Congress leader T.D. Raje Gowda will continue as MLA.

The Supreme Court on Monday (May 11) provided interim relief to Mr. Gowda by allowing him to continue as MLA of the constituency for the time being.

Mr. Gowda had appealed to the Supreme Court after a recount of postal ballots was done following a High Court order. The recount showed the numbers lean in favour of his rival and BJP candidate D.N. Jeevaraj.

Asked about the dispute that led to Mr. Jeevaraj taking oath after the Election Commission of India (ECI) declared him elected following the recount, Mr. Khader described it as the “beauty of Indian democracy”.

Sources indicated that Mr. Khader had administered the oath to Mr. Jeevaraj following political pressure from higher authorities.

Awaiting EC order

Meanwhile, sources in the State Secretariat said the Speaker’s office is awaiting directions from the ECI on the matter. A senior official said the decision on the oath-taking ceremony will be taken based on the ECI’s order. The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Karnataka is also awaiting directions from the ECI in New Delhi.

‘No MLA at present’

Referring to the Supreme Court’s interim order, a senior Congress leader said the court had kept “the exercise undertaken by the returning officer in abeyance till the appeal is decided”, implying that there is currently no MLA representing the Sringeri Assembly Constituency.

Mr. Khader also declined to comment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for austerity measures. He said it is for the government and the Opposition to respond to such issues, as he now holds the Constitutional office of Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

“I can only pray for the war to stop and normalcy to be restored,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jeevaraj, reacting to the Supreme Court’s order, has stated that he will respect the court’s ruling. However, he said he will continue the legal battle. “I will wait for the next hearing of the case in the Supreme Court,” he told the media.