Bengaluru, May 4:The Indian National Congress (Congress) secured a decisive victory in the Bagalkot Assembly bypoll in Karnataka, while also maintaining a lead in the closely fought Davanagere South constituency, as counting trends continued on Monday.
In Bagalkot, Congress candidate Umesh Meti registered a landslide victory, winning by a margin of 22,332 votes. He polled 98,919 votes, comfortably defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Veeranna Charantimath, who secured 76,587 votes after all 23 rounds of counting were completed.
Celebrations erupted among Congress workers in Bagalkot following the emphatic win. Reacting to the result, Umesh Meti credited the victory to the collective effort of party workers and leaders. “Every Congress worker and leader worked as if they themselves were the candidate,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, along with senior ministers including Satish Jarkiholi, Shivanand Patil, and R.B. Timmappur, acknowledging their support during the campaign.
Meti further stated that his focus would be on the development of the constituency and fulfilling his late father H.Y. Meti’s vision, particularly the establishment of a medical college in the region.
Meanwhile, the Davanagere South Assembly segment witnessed a tight contest. Congress candidate Samarth Mallikarjun was leading with 59,992 votes after the 18th round of counting, while BJP’s Srinivasa T. Dasakariyappa trailed with 54,335 votes. The Socialist Democratic Party of India (SDPI) candidate Afsar Kodlipet secured 18,203 votes. A total of 21 rounds of counting are being conducted in the constituency.
The bypoll results are seen as politically significant for both the ruling Congress government and the opposition BJP in Karnataka. While Congress aims to consolidate its position, the BJP is looking to make electoral inroads in key constituencies.
The Bagalkot by-election was necessitated following the untimely demise of former MLA H.Y. Meti, with his son Umesh Meti contesting on a Congress ticket against BJP’s Veeranna Charantimath. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had actively campaigned in the constituency, underlining its importance for the party.
Similarly, the Davanagere South bypoll was held after the death of veteran Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa. The party fielded his grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun, while the BJP nominated Srinivasa T. Dasakariyappa, a leader representing the oppressed classes.
The contest in Davanagere South has drawn considerable attention, not only due to its close margins but also because of internal challenges faced by Congress. The party had earlier removed two MLCs from their positions following allegations of anti-party activities after candidate selection.
The outcome of these bypolls carries added significance as it is being viewed as a test of leadership for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar. At the same time, the BJP is hoping to secure its first victory in the Davanagere South Assembly segment.
As counting progresses in the remaining rounds, all eyes remain on whether Congress can maintain its lead and secure another win in Davanagere South, further strengthening its political standing in the state.
