Sringeri recount: BJP's D.N. Jeevaraj sworn in as Karnataka MLA
Synopsis
A courtroom-driven recount of 2023 postal ballots in Sringeri has upended a sitting Congress MLA's tenure — and now BJP's D.N. Jeevaraj holds the seat, at least until the courts decide otherwise. The Speaker himself warned the oath could be reversed if a stay is granted, making this one of Karnataka's most legally precarious swearing-in ceremonies in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
Jeevaraj (BJP) was sworn in as Sringeri MLA at Vidhana Soudha on 6 May 2025 .
Khader administered the oath after the Election Commission issued the winner's certificate following a High Court-ordered recount.
The seat remains legally contested — if a court issues a stay, Jeevaraj ceases to be an MLA and the oath would pass to Congress's T.D.
Ashoka alleged irregularities in the 2023 Assembly election and called for a CBI probe .
A BJP delegation had met Governor Thawarchand Gehlot on Tuesday, alleging the Speaker delayed the oath and urging him to administer it himself.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader D.N. Jeevaraj was sworn in as a Member of the Legislative Assembly at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Wednesday, 6 May, amid the continuing controversy over the Sringeri Assembly constituency recount. The oath marks a dramatic turn in a dispute that has stretched across courtrooms, the Election Commission, and the Governor's office.
The Swearing-In Ceremony
Speaker U.T. Khader administered the oath of office in the presence of Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, and other senior BJP leaders. In a notable gesture, Jeevaraj took the oath in the name of Sharadamba, the presiding deity of Sringeri.
Addressing the media after the ceremony, Khader said the oath was administered strictly in accordance with constitutional provisions, following the issuance of the election certificate by the Election Commission.
Point of View
Raising broader questions about the integrity of vote-counting processes in Karnataka. The BJP's demand for a CBI probe into alleged official pressure during the original count, if pursued, could widen the controversy well beyond one constituency.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was D.N. Jeevaraj sworn in as Sringeri MLA in 2025?
D.N. Jeevaraj was sworn in after the Karnataka High Court ordered a reverification and recount of postal ballots from the 2023 Sringeri Assembly election, following which the Election Commission declared him the winner, defeating sitting Congress MLA T.D. Rajegowda.
Can Jeevaraj lose the MLA seat after being sworn in?
Yes. Speaker U.T. Khader explicitly stated that if a court issues a stay order, Jeevaraj will cease to be an MLA and the oath would then have to be administered to Congress's T.D. Rajegowda. The matter remains subject to ongoing legal proceedings.
What role did the Karnataka High Court play in the Sringeri recount?
The Karnataka High Court ordered the reverification and recounting of postal ballots from the 2023 Sringeri Assembly election. The recount was conducted last week, after which the Election Commission declared BJP's D.N. Jeevaraj the winner.
Why did BJP leaders meet Governor Thawarchand Gehlot over the Sringeri row?
A BJP delegation met Governor Thawarchand Gehlot on Tuesday alleging that Speaker U.T. Khader was deliberately delaying the administration of the oath to Jeevaraj. They urged the Governor to administer the oath himself, though the Speaker subsequently carried out the ceremony.
What did R. Ashoka allege about the 2023 Sringeri election?
Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka alleged that officials succumbed to pressure from Congress leaders during the 2023 Assembly election and tilted the result in favour of the Congress candidate. He called for a CBI investigation, claiming the truth would emerge from such a probe.
