After he completes five years as MLA, Karnataka HC sets aside his election!

Bengaluru, Apr 29: G Manjunath, Independent MLA from Mulbagal constituency in Karnataka’s Kolar district, has already completed his five year term and the state has geared up for another assembly polls. But, the High Court of Karantaka has now set aside his election in the last polls!
 
Justice A S Bopanna on Wednesday (April 25) passed the crucial order on a petition filed by Munianjanappa, who lost the election on the JD(S) ticket to Manjunath in Mulbagal constancy, which is reserved for SC candidates. 

Munianjanappa had moved the court challenging the legality of the acceptance of Manjunath’s nomination and his election as the latter had submitted fake caste certificate. 

The petitioner has contended that Manjunath belongs to the ‘Byragi’ caste, which falls under the OBC. Despite this, Manjunath contested from Mulbagal constituency after obtaining a certificate that he belonging to Beda (Budaga) Jangama caste listed under the Scheduled Castes.

The petitioner had also stated he had brought the issue of the fake caste certificate obtained by Manjunath to the notice of the returning officer in 2013 elections but the same was disregarded by the authorities. He stated that caste certificate obtained by Manjunath certifying him as belonging to Beda (Budaga) Jangama caste is manipulated, bogus and fake.

The court in its order observed that Manjunath has failed to establish that he belongs to the Beda (Budaga) Jangama caste. The court also stated that the caste certificate obtained by Manjunath certifying him as belonging to the SC is `without the sanction of law’.

The court stated in the order that the nomination of Manjunath and the consequent declaration as elected to the Karnataka Assembly have been declared illegal. The court also imposed a cost of Rs 25,000 on Manjunath.

In the elections held to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on May 5, 2013, Manjunath had secured 73,146 votes while Munianjanappa had polled 39,142 votes. 

Interestingly, recently Manjunath was inducted into Congress and the party had issued ticket for him from the same constituency for May 12 (2018) Karnataka assembly polls. Now, the Congress is left with no official candidate from the constituency. Amidst this, Congress MP representing Kolar K H Muniyappa’s daughter M Nandini had filed her nominations papers from Mulbagal as an independent. With the last date of filing nominations completed, it is said the Congress may now extend its support to Nandini.