Assembly bypolls: Family members vying for ticket in Davangere South, Bagalkot

Even though the Election Commission has not yet officially announced bypolls to two Karnataka Legislative Assembly seats that are lying vacant, intense lobbying has begun within the ruling Congress for tickets in the Davangere South and Bagalkot constituencies.

The byelections are necessitated following the death of veteran Congress leaders Shamanur Shivashankarappa and H.V. Meti, who represented Davangere South and Bagalkot respectively.

In Davangere South, members of Shivashankarappa’s family, along with several Muslim leaders, are vying for the Congress ticket. In Bagalkot, Meti’s children have emerged as the frontrunners.

According to party sources, Shivashankarappa’s family is keen to field one of its members to retain its influence in the constituency. Minister for Mines and Geology S.S. Mallikarjun, Shivashankarappa’s son, is reportedly lobbying for the ticket either for his son, Samarth, or his brother, S.S. Ganesh. Shivashankarappa, who passed away on December 14, 2025, had represented the constituency multiple times. Meanwhile, Prabha Mallikarjun, wife of S.S. Mallikarjun, currently serves as the Congress MP for Davanagere.

The Muslim community accounts for nearly 30% of the electorate in Davangere South, making it a significant vote bank. Housing Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed is said to be pushing for a candidate from the minority community and is backing Congress MLC Abdul Jabbar. KPCC vice-president A.R.M. Hussain is also an aspirant for the ticket.

Following Congress leader Yasir Ahmed Khan’s victory over BJP nominee Bharath Bommai in the Shiggaon byelection in November 2024, minority leaders within the party have intensified their demand for tickets in constituencies with a sizeable Muslim population, party sources said.

Some Congress leaders, including Channagiri MLA Basavaraju V. Shivaganga, are also reportedly supporting the idea of fielding a candidate from the Muslim community in Davangere South.

Bagalkot

In Bagalkote, competition has emerged within Meti’s family over the party ticket. His sons, Mallikarjun and Umesh, are considered leading contenders, while his daughters, Bayakka Meti, a former Zilla Panchayat member, and Mahadevi Meti, are also aspiring to contest.

Most local Congress workers are said to be favouring the idea of fielding one of Meti’s sons as the party’s candidate. During recent visits by Congress ministers to the constituency, party workers reportedly expressed their support for fielding one of his sons. However, there are indications of internal differences emerging within the family regarding the candidature. Sources, however, maintain that the family is likely to back whichever candidate is ultimately chosen by the party high command.