Congress leader Gayathri Shante Gowda, whom the Karnataka High Court declared elected in the election to the Legislative Council, has said she would make the best use of the remainder of the Council’s term to represent the local bodies of Chikkamagaluru district.
Ms. Shantegowda was declared elected from the Chikkamagaluru Local Authorities’ Constituency in the Legislative Council elections held in December 2021, defeating BJP candidate M.K. Pranesh after the High Court upheld the outcome of the recount of votes. With the Council’s six-year term already under way, Mr. Pranesh has served for nearly four-and-a-half years, while Ms. Shante Gowda will serve the remaining tenure.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Ms. Shantegowda said she would consult Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, and Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti regarding the formalities for taking oath as a member. “I am happy that I have finally got justice after a prolonged legal battle. I cannot recover the four-and-a-half years that I have lost, but I will strive to make the best use of the remaining term,” she said.
In the 2021 election, Mr. Pranesh had initially been declared elected by a margin of six votes. Ms. Shante Gowda challenged the result before the High Court, contending that votes cast by nominated members of local bodies had been wrongly counted, as they were not eligible to vote in the election.
Pursuant to the High Court’s directions, a recount of votes was conducted on February 28, 2025, and the Deputy Commissioner submitted the result in a sealed cover to the court. “Even after the recount, the opposite party approached the Supreme Court, delaying the process by another one-and-a-half years. Now, the High Court has declared me the winner,” she said.
The Supreme Court dismissed Mr. Pranesh’s appeal, clearing the way for the High Court to declare the result based on the recount.
Meanwhile, Mr. Pranesh, who also served as the Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council during his tenure, accepted the verdict. “The Karnataka High Court has clearly declared Ms. Shante Gowda as the winner. I congratulate her and thank all those who supported me during my four-and-a-half-year tenure as a member of the Legislative Council,” he said.
Published – July 31, 2026 08:12 pm IST
