A recount of postal ballots in the Sringeri constituency of Karnataka has resulted in BJP candidate N Jeevaraj leading Congress candidate T D Rajegowda by 52 votes. This recount, ordered by the Karnataka High Court, was initiated to resolve a narrow margin from the 2023 Assembly elections. Following the recount, the Congress party has alleged that there was a conspiracy involving tampering with the postal votes, claiming that over 200 votes were improperly marked with pens, which led to their invalidation. Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president D K Shivakumar stated that these actions were criminal in nature and vowed to seek legal recourse. Meanwhile, the BJP has demanded that the recount results be declared immediately, with Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka accusing the Congress government of pressuring election officials. The controversy revolves around 255 postal ballots that were originally designated for Rajegowda but were deemed invalid during the recount process.