Setback For BJP As Supreme Court Declares Congress Candidate Winner In Karnataka MLC Poll

Published 17 July 2026 · politics

Setback For BJP As Supreme Court Declares Congress Candidate Winner In Karnataka MLC Poll Published By, Last Updated: July 17, 2026, 13:09 IST Pranesh had

Setback For BJP As Supreme Court Declares Congress Candidate Winner In Karnataka MLC Poll Published By, Last Updated: July 17, 2026, 13:09 IST Pranesh had originally won the December 10, 2021, election by a margin of six votes and has been serving as the deputy chairman of the Legislative Council since then. Rapid Read Congress candidate AV Gayathri Shanthegowda. (Facebook) The Supreme Court on Thursday overturned the election of BJP leader MK Pranesh to the Karnataka Legislative Council from the Chikkamagaluru Local Authorities’ constituency, declaring Congress candidate AV Gayathri Shanthegowda the duly elected winner. The ruling upholds the Karnataka High Court’s direction for a recount of votes. Pranesh had originally won the December 10, 2021, election by a margin of six votes and has been serving as the deputy chairman of the Legislative Council since then. Following the verdict, Congress’s strength in the 75-member Council has increased to 40, further strengthening its majority in the House.

The judgment marks Congress’s second electoral success through a legal challenge. In May, the apex court ruled that Congress MLA TD Rajegowda would continue as the elected representative from the Sringeri Assembly constituency after proceedings related to a recount of postal ballots involving BJP candidate DN Jeevaraj. A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi dismissed Pranesh’s special leave petition against the Karnataka High Court’s January 29, 2025 order directing a recount in the Legislative Council election. Gayathri is expected to take office once the Election Commission issues the formal notification. After narrowly losing the 2021 election, Gayathri had moved the High Court alleging irregularities in the counting process. She claimed ballot papers had been wrongly accepted and rejected, election rules were violated, and nominated town panchayat members who were allegedly not eligible had been allowed to vote.

During the hearing of Pranesh’s appeal, the Supreme Court permitted the recount to go ahead but directed that its outcome be submitted in a sealed cover until the case was finally decided. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered What impact will this ruling have on Karnataka politics? The Supreme Court declared Congress candidate AV Gayathri Shanthegowda the winner of a Karnataka Legislative Council seat, overturning the election of BJP's MK Pranesh. This ruling upholds a High Court order for a vote recount. Could more election results be challenged in court? Yes, election results can be challenged in court, as demonstrated by the Supreme Court declaring a Congress candidate the winner in a Karnataka Legislative Council poll, overturning a BJP candidate's victory. How does this affect the balance of power in the Council?