Bengaluru/New Delhi, May 3 (IANS) Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (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 also said, “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 has been completed, and a report has been submitted to the Election Commission of India (ECI).”

The BJP 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.

Speaking to reporters, Opposition Leader R. Ashoka charged, saying, “The Congress government is putting pressure on election officials not to declare the results of the Sringeri Assembly constituency. The BJP has also demanded that election officials immediately declare the results and comply with the Karnataka High Court’s order.”

He said that in the Sringeri Assembly constituency, BJP candidate D.N. Jeevaraj has received more postal votes.

“The court order clearly states that whoever gets more votes in the counting should be declared the winner. When asked about this, the Election Commission gave a vague reply that they would inform the High Court. The Congress government has exerted pressure on the election officer and is suppressing the results. This amounts to violating the court order and is a betrayal of the people of the state,” BJP leader Ashoka added.

“Where is Rahul Gandhi now, the one who keeps shouting about ‘vote theft’? The moment they realised the results were going in favour of BJP, the officials did a U-turn. Postal votes are always counted first, followed by votes from the EVMs. But in Sringeri, everything has been done in reverse. We had approached the court regarding this. The state government withholding the results is a clear misuse of power. The election officer must declare the results immediately,” he demanded.

Meanwhile, Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi said on Sunday in Delhi that the BJP candidate’s victory in the recount of postal ballots in the Sringeri Assembly constituency has become clear, and urged that the results be announced immediately.

Union Minister Joshi said BJP candidate D.N. Jeevaraj has already been deprived of the MLA position for the past three years due to alleged irregularities in the earlier counting of postal ballots.

He stressed that there should be no further delay in declaring the results.

He urged the Election Officer not to succumb to any pressure and to immediately announce the results of the postal ballot recount, in compliance with the High Court’s order.

Referring to the court’s directions, Union Minister Joshi said it had clearly said that if discrepancies were found in the recount of postal ballots, the District Election Officer (DEO) must declare the results accordingly.

He reiterated that the DEO must strictly follow the High Court’s order.

Warning of consequences, Union Minister Joshi said that it is evident the BJP candidate Jeevaraj has secured victory in the recount, and if the results are not declared promptly, the Election Officer will be held responsible for any complications arising from the delay.

Attacking the Congress government, Opposition leader R. Ashoka charged, saying: “Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s supporters are saying that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s story will end on May 15. But Home Minister G. Parameshwara is talking about celebrating the three years. This could also turn out to be a closing ceremony. No one knows yet who the real Chief Minister is. The Congress party has split into three factions — it has become “one house, three doors”. Mallikarjun Kharge has opened a new door. Before holding any meeting, they should at least tell us under whose leadership it is being held.”

“Government employees are on strike due to non-payment of salaries. Development works have come to a standstill. The Rs 5,000 crore for Gruha Laxmi scheme has not been released yet. As much as Rs 750 crore is pending under Annabhagya scheme. There is drought everywhere and a severe water crisis. In Bengaluru, they (state government) have spent Rs 1 lakh just to fill one pothole on the road. Fallen trees and branches have not been cleared. Seven people died after a wall collapsed at the Bowring Hospital. So what exactly have they achieved in three years? The only achievement is that the party has become three factions,” BJP leader Ashoka remarked.

“The Youth Empowerment Department is supposed to build stadiums, while Bangalore Development Authority only develops sites. The Housing Board should build houses. Perhaps the Housing Board is building stadiums to earn commissions. No Ministers are coming to the Vidhana Soudha. That is why 86 files related to deaths are pending. They should compile these files and display them at their so-called celebration meeting,” he said.

“The BJP is set to get good results in all states. It will open its account in Kerala and make its mark in Tamil Nadu as well. Election surveys are showing favourable results for the BJP. We are confident that the BJP will win in West Bengal,” Ashoka added.

–IANS

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