Late night recounting drama; BJP reclaims Jayanagar beating Sowmya Reddy by 16 votes

BENGALURU: It was well past midnight in Jayanagar, a Bengaluru urban region where party workers of Congress and BJP swarmed with cynic faces awaiting something. Later, the BJP workers were seen bursting crackers in Jayanagar in the clamor of songs. C K Ramamurthy of BJP was declared winner over Congress’s Sowmya Reddy by 16 votes and that too after much drama.

Yesterday afternoon, when counting reached the final lap, Sowmya was declared the winner by the election commission. She is the daughter of former congress leader Ramalinga Reddy. However, late into the night, C K Ramamurthy requested for recounting and the EC abided by it. 160 postal ballot votes of Ramamurthy got counted again which secured a dramatic victory for the BJP man amidst his party's dismal performance over the state. Even BJP young stalwart Tejaswi Surya tweeted late into the night about reclaiming back Jayanagar.

Congress leader D K Shivakumar reached the Jayanagar counting office late into the night. The BJP supporters also came in hordes giving clues about an impending clash between both sides. Police and other security officer reached the spot fearing unrest.

The congress accused the EC decision saying the postal ballots were earlier considered illegal since it was not signed by a gazetted officer. Sowmya’s camp was all celebration until the evening when the EC declared her winner. If remained a winner, Sowmya was a sure-shot selection to be a minister in the new Karnataka government.