The Karnataka High Court today ordered issue of notice to the Election Commission and former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa on a petition challenging the poll body's order recognising him as the President of Karnataka Janatha Party. Justice Mohan Shantanagoudar ordered notice also to KJP member V Dhananjaya Kumar on the petition filed by party founder Padmanabha Prasanna Kumar.

Kumar contended Yeddyurappa had violated election rules while declaring himself as the President of Karnataka Janatha Party.

Prasanna Kumar formally handed over the reigns of the party to Yeddyurappa at a rally in Haveri on December 9 last year.

Yeddyurappa took over the party after quitting ruling BJP, upset over his "neglect" by party central leadership.

The Election Commission subsequently recognised Yeddyurappa as the President of KJP and rejected Prasanna Kumar's claim as the founder President.