Siddaramaiah Campaigns in Bagalkot as BJP Heavyweights Rally for Davanagere South

The political battle for the Karnataka bypolls has intensified, with senior leaders from both the Congress and the BJP actively campaigning in key constituencies. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has taken charge of the Congress campaign in Bagalkot, while BJP heavyweights, including state president B Y Vijayendra, are preparing to rally support in Davanagere South ahead of the crucial April 9 polls.

In Bagalkot, Congress candidate Umesh Meti is contesting against BJP’s Veeranna Charantimath. Umesh, the son of former MLA H. Y. Meti, entered the fray following his father’s demise, which led to the by-election in the constituency. Campaigning across several villages in northern Karnataka, Siddaramaiah urged voters to support Umesh Meti, highlighting the Congress government’s welfare guarantee schemes and positioning the election as an opportunity to strengthen the state administration.

The candidate selection, however, was not without controversy, as internal disagreements reportedly surfaced within the Meti family. With multiple members expressing interest in contesting, the party eventually finalised Umesh Meti as its candidate, banking on the family’s political legacy and local influence to secure voter support.

Also Read: Umesh Meti Submits Papers With Siddaramaiah, D. K. Shivakumar

Meanwhile, Davanagere South is witnessing a direct contest between BJP’s Srinivas Dasakariyappa and Congress’s Samarth Mallikarjun. Both parties are investing significant political capital in the seat, with senior leaders expected to campaign aggressively in the coming days. The BJP, in particular, is mobilising its top leadership to consolidate its voter base and challenge the ruling Congress in the region.

The bypolls in Bagalkot and Davanagere South are being closely watched as a mid-term test of political strength in Karnataka. Beyond local dynamics, the results are expected to reflect broader public sentiment toward the state government and opposition strategies. With high-voltage campaigning underway and key leaders directly engaging with voters, the electoral contest is shaping up to be intense and closely fought.

Voting for both constituencies will take place on April 9, and the outcome could carry significant political implications for both parties as they look to strengthen their positions ahead of future electoral battles in the state.

Also Read: Karnataka Bypolls: Meti’s Son, Shamanur’s Grandson Nominated By Congress