Karnataka Bye-Elections 2026: Congress to Field Family Members in Davangere and Bagalkot to Tap Sympathy Wave

By Bangalore Mail Political Bureau

Bengaluru | March 21, 2026

BENGALURU: In a strategic move to retain its hold over the crucial North Karnataka belt, the Congress High Command in New Delhi has reportedly decided to stick to the “tried and tested” formula of dynasty politics for the upcoming bye-elections.

Reliable sources within the party’s top brass indicate that the tickets for the Davangere South and Bagalkot assembly constituencies will be granted exclusively to the family members of the deceased incumbents. The decision aims to capitalize on a potential “sympathy wave” and leverage the deep-rooted political legacies of the families involved.

Banking on Legacy

The bye-elections were necessitated by the unfortunate passing of veteran leaders Shamanur Shivashankarappa (Davangere South) and H.Y. Meti (Bagalkot). Both leaders were pillars of the Congress party in their respective regions, boasting decades of influence.

According to sources, the party leadership believes that fielding outsiders or new faces at this juncture could trigger internal rebellion and split the vote bank.

“The High Command is clear. In bye-elections, the local sentiment and the work done by the departed leader play a massive role. By fielding family members, we ensure continuity and honor the political legacy that the voters have trusted for years,” a senior AICC official told Bangalore Mail on condition of anonymity.

The Candidates in Focus

While an official announcement is expected by March 23—the last date for filing nominations—internal discussions suggest the following:

• Davangere South: The party is likely to officially back Samarth Shamanur Mallikarjun, the grandson of Shamanur Shivashankarappa and son of Minister S.S. Mallikarjun. Samarth has already filed a set of nomination papers on Friday, signaling his readiness.

• Bagalkot: Following a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the party has successfully quelled a sibling rivalry among H.Y. Meti’s children. It is understood that one of the family members—likely Mallikarjun Meti or Umesh Meti—will be the consensus candidate to take on the BJP’s Veerabhadrayya Charantimath.

Strategic Calculation vs. Internal Rift

The move, however, has not been without its challenges. In Davangere South, there has been a growing demand from Muslim organizations for a representative from their community, given the constituency’s demographic profile. Similarly, in Bagalkot, the CM had to intervene personally to prevent Mahadevi Meti from contesting as an independent.

The BJP has already hit the ground running, fielding Srinivas T. Dasakariyappa in Davangere South and veteran Veerabhadrayya Charantimath in Bagalkot. By banking on the “sympathy factor,” the Congress hopes to neutralize the BJP’s early-mover advantage and the support extended to them by the JD(S).

The polling is scheduled for April 9, 2026, with the results set to be declared on May 4.