D.N. Jeevaraj, the newly elected MLA for Sringeri, at the oath-taking ceremony at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on May 6.
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Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader on May 6 administered the oath to D.N. Jeevaraj as a member of the Legislative Assembly. His election as MLA of Sringeri, after a recount of postal ballot votes, has turned contentious.
On May 5, the Opposition BJP had petitioned Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to direct the Speaker to administer the oath to Mr. Jeevaraj.
Congress’ allegations
Mr. Jeevaraj was declared elected from the Sringeri Assembly Constituency following a recount of postal ballots polled in 2023, as directed by the High Court of Karnataka. The Congress has accused the BJP of a “criminal conspiracy” during vote re-counting and questioned how 255 valid votes polled in favour of Congress candidate T.D. Raje Gowda were declared invalid in the re-count. It has alleged that the BJP, while in power, had tampered with ballot papers through officials. An First Information Report (FIR) had been registered.
However, on May 5, the High Court had stayed the investigation into the FIR registered against Mr. Jeevaraj for allegedly tampering with postal ballot papers and documents related to counting of votes. The next hearing is adjourned to May 7, and the Congress has said that it will continue the legal fight.
On May 5, the Speaker had written to the Governor stating that he would fix a date to administer the oath to Mr. Jeevaraj along with two other Congress MLAs elected in bypolls from Davangere South and Bagalkot Assembly constituencies.
BJP’s stand
The BJP had accused Mr. Khader of “intentionally” delaying the oath-taking process for Mr. Jeevaraj and sought the Governor’s intervention to ensure it was carried out.
Curiously, speaking in Mangaluru earlier on May 6, Mr. Khader said that he was not intentionally delaying administration of oath to Mr. Jeevaraj, but the circumstances of the latter’s election to the Assembly were unique and he would have to study the legislative procedure, legal aspects, and associated technical issues related to the administration of oath. However, hours later, he rushed to Bengaluru and administered oath.
During the oath-taking ceremony, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, his counterpart in the Council, S. Muniraju, BJP MLA, and supporters of Mr. Jeevaraj were present.
Published – May 06, 2026 07:33 pm IST
