Karnataka Speaker Khader vows early oath for BJP MLA Jeevaraj amid Sringeri recount row

Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader on Wednesday, 6 May assured that the oath to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA D.N. Jeevaraj would be administered at the earliest, dismissing allegations of deliberate delay linked to the Sringeri Assembly constituency recount controversy. Khader, speaking to reporters in Mangaluru, said the process would be completed strictly in accordance with constitutional provisions.

Background: The Sringeri Recount Row

The controversy stems from the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections in the Sringeri constituency. Congress candidate T.D. Rajegowda was initially declared the winner and administered the oath as MLA. BJP candidate D.N. Jeevaraj subsequently challenged the result in court, following which the Karnataka High Court ordered a reverification and recount of postal ballots. The recount was conducted last week, after which the Election Commission of India (ECI) declared Jeevaraj the winner, defeating the sitting Congress MLA Rajegowda.

BJP Escalates, Meets Governor

The row escalated on Tuesday when a BJP delegation met Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot and submitted a formal complaint against Speaker Khader, accusing him of deliberately delaying the oath ceremony. The BJP leaders urged the Governor to administer the oath to Jeevaraj himself, bypassing the Speaker — a move that would be constitutionally significant. Governor Gehlot subsequently spoke to Speaker Khader over the phone regarding the matter.