Election Commission Sets Dates for Crucial Karnataka By-Polls; Political Temperature Soars as BJP and Congress Face Intense Ticket Battles
Bengaluru: The Election Commission has officially announced the schedule for the much-anticipated by-elections in Karnataka’s Bagalkot and Davangere South Assembly constituencies, setting the stage for a politically charged contest between the BJP and Congress. The announcement has triggered intense political activity in both constituencies, where the battle for party tickets has already reached a critical stage.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced the by-poll schedule during a press conference held by the Central Election Commission in New Delhi. According to the schedule, voting in both constituencies will take place on April 9, while the results will be declared on May 4.
The by-elections became necessary following the demise of sitting legislators H.Y. Mety from Bagalkot and Shamanur Shivashankarappa from Davangere South, creating a sudden political vacuum and triggering a high-stakes electoral contest.
The Election Commission stated that the official notification for the by-elections will be issued on March 16, marking the formal start of the electoral process. March 24 has been set as the last date for filing nominations, while candidates will be allowed to withdraw nominations until March 26.
Vacancies Trigger High-Stakes Political Contest
The deaths of the two senior political leaders have turned the Bagalkot and Davangere South constituencies into crucial battlegrounds, with both major parties attempting to consolidate their political influence ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Political observers note that the by-polls could serve as an important indicator of the current political mood in Karnataka, particularly in regions where party dynamics have been rapidly shifting.
Davangere South Ticket War Intensifies
The battle for party tickets has become especially intense in Davangere South, where both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress are facing pressure from multiple aspirants and community groups.
Within the Congress, the Muslim community has strongly demanded representation, arguing that the constituency’s social composition warrants a candidate from the community.
At the same time, members of the Shamanur family have demanded that the party retain the seat within the family, citing the long political legacy of the late Shamanur Shivashankarappa.
Adding another dimension to the contest, Mohammed Khalid, son of AICC Youth Unit Secretary and prominent district leader Syed Saipulla, has also emerged as a strong aspirant for the Congress ticket. Khalid recently organised a large Iftar gathering, using the occasion to publicly stake his claim for the party nomination.
Interestingly, another aspirant, Samarth Shamanur, son of Minister S.S. Mallikarjun, was also present at the same event, further intensifying speculation about the party’s eventual choice.
BJP Leaders Display Rare Unity Amid Ticket Race
While the BJP too has witnessed internal competition among aspirants, party leaders in the district have attempted to project unity ahead of the by-polls.
Several prominent BJP ticket aspirants, including B.G. Ajayakumar, Yashwantrao Jadhav, Srinivas Dasakariappa, Rajanahalli Shivakumar and Devaramane Shivakumar, recently appeared together at a joint press conference.
“No matter who receives the party ticket, we will work unitedly to ensure the BJP’s victory in Davangere South,” BJP leaders stated during the interaction.
The joint appearance was particularly notable as factions aligned with former minister M.P. Renukacharya and former MP G.M. Siddeshwara shared the same platform after a long period, signalling a strategic effort by the party leadership to avoid internal divisions during the election.
Political insiders suggest that the BJP leadership may also be considering introducing a new face, a move that could potentially reshape the dynamics of the contest.
Bagalkot Also Witnesses Fierce Ticket Competition
Meanwhile, in Bagalkot, political activity has intensified as several leaders from both major parties have begun lobbying for the nomination.
The seat fell vacant following the death of H.Y. Mety, and both the BJP and Congress are witnessing strong internal competition among aspirants eager to contest the by-poll.
Party strategists believe the final list of candidates will play a decisive role in shaping the outcome, especially given the constituency’s evolving electoral equations.
With the by-poll notification set to be issued shortly, the coming days are expected to witness heightened political negotiations, strategic alliances and intense campaigning as parties race against time to finalise candidates.
