Karnataka bypolls: Congress leads in Bagalkot, BJP's D.N. Jeevaraj wins Sringeri recount, calls it 'victory for truth'

In the recounting of postal ballots in Sringeri, BJP candidate D.N. Jeevaraj has emerged victorious against sitting Congress MLA, T.D. Rajegowda. Election Officer Gaurav Kumar Shetty officially announced the result on Monday.

The process of reverification and recounting of postal ballots in the Sringeri constituency in the 2023 Assembly elections on the orders of the Karnataka High Court was completed, and a report was submitted to the Election Commission of India on Sunday.

Jeevaraj officially received the MLA certificate on Monday and described this victory, achieved after three years of continuous legal battle, as "a victory for truth." Jeevaraj, who had alleged irregularities during vote counting after the 2023 election, said that a significant discrepancy was found in votes that had previously been rejected during the recount.

He stated that bundles containing 25 votes each were rejected during the recount. "Earlier, votes were illegally added to ensure someone's victory. We had already requested that the ballot papers be secured," he recalled.

Responding to the FIR registered against him following his victory, Jeevaraj said, "It is not right to allege tampering after losing. When they won earlier, it was called a constitutional victory; when we win, they call it tampering. There was no basis to register an FIR against me, yet it has been done illegally. We will challenge this in the Supreme Court."

Reacting to the development, BJP Yuva Morcha President and Bengaluru South MP, Tejasvi Surya stated, "Heartfelt congratulations to D.N. Jeevaraj on his victory in the re-counting of votes in the Sringeri Assembly constituency, conducted as per the High Court's order. This is a victory that reinforces our faith in the electoral system and the judiciary."

"Sincere thanks to all the voters of the Sringeri constituency for their complete support throughout this continuous struggle," Surya stated.

It can be recalled that Karnataka BJP on Sunday demanded that the result of recounting of Sringeri Assembly constituency should be declared immediately as per the High Court order and also alleged that the Congress government in the state is exerting pressure on officials.

The BJP on Sunday claimed victory based on the figures provided by the Election Officer, though the official result is yet to be announced by the ECI.

However, on Saturday, sitting Congress MLA T.D. Rajegowda claimed victory following the recount and celebrated with his supporters near the counting centre.

Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President, D.K. Shivakumar, on Sunday alleged that a "large-scale conspiracy and systematic crime" had taken place in the Sringeri Assembly seat in Chikkamagaluru district, calling it a blot on the country and democracy.

Congress party workers have begun celebrations in Bagalkot as party candidate Umesh Meti has secured a lead of 17,205 votes at the end of the 21st round of counting. With only two rounds of counting remaining, a Congress victory is now seen as certain.

Workers are celebrating by bursting firecrackers, with the party maintaining a lead from the first round through to the 21st round. Supporters are also celebrating while holding a portrait of Umesh Meti, and marking the occasion by throwing gulal and bursting firecrackers.

In the Bagalkot Assembly segment, at the end of the 21th round of counting, Congress candidate Umesh Meti has maintained a good lead of 17,205 votes over BJP candidate Veeranna Charantimath. Umesh Meti has secured 87,624 votes, while Veeranna Charantimath has polled 70,419 votes. There are a total of 23 rounds of counting and counting of only two rounds are remaining.

In Bagalkot, the bye-election was held following the untimely demise of H.Y. Meti. His son, Umesh Meti, is in a direct contest against the BJP's Veeranna Charantimath. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah campaigned extensively for the Congress candidate.

In the much-awaited Davanagere South constituency, BJP's Srinivasa T. Dasakariyappa's continued to trail against Congress candidate Samarth Mallikarjun. Srinivasa has polled 29,503 while Samarth Mallikarjun has secured 37,419 votes after the 11th round of counting. There are a total of 21 rounds of counting.

The Davanagere South bypoll was necessitated by the death of veteran Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa. The party fielded his grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun, as its candidate, while the BJP nominated Srinivasa T. Dasakariyappa, a party leader from the oppressed classes.

Reacting to the development, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed confidence that the Congress will win the bye-elections in Davanagere and Bagalkot. He said that in Davanagere, the victory margin may be lower due to various reasons, but they will still win.

Responding to the five-state election results, the Chief Minister said that the outcome in Assam was on expected lines and they accept it. In Kerala, they have secured more seats than anticipated. "We had said we would win around 76 to 80 seats, but we are leading in 95 seats," he said. He added that he believes there may be an anti-incumbency wave in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Speaking about the TVK party gaining a lead in Tamil Nadu, he said he would congratulate Vijay.