The ruling Congress party secured victories in two crucial Karnataka assembly bypolls, retaining Bagalkot and Davanagere South, while the Bharatiya Janata Party clinched a dramatic win in Sringeri after a recount overturned the initial result.
Bagalkot: Comfortable Win for Congress
In Bagalkot, Congress candidate Umesh Meti, son of former minister H Y Meti, defeated BJP's Veerabhadrayya Charantimath by a margin of 22,332 votes. Meti polled 98,919 votes against Charantimath's 76,587. This victory consolidated the party's position in a constituency it had narrowly won in 2023.
Davanagere South: Slender Victory Amid Fragmented Mandate
In Davanagere South, Samarth Mallikarjun, son of minister S S Mallikarjuna and grandson of late MLA Shamnur Shivashankarappa, won by a slender margin of 5,708 votes. He secured 69,578 votes, while BJP's Srinivasa T Dasakariyappa got 63,870 votes. The contest was tight, with Samarth trailing in early rounds before gaining ground. In 2023, Shamnur Shivashankarappa had won by over 27,888 votes.
The result reflected a fragmented mandate, with 14 Muslim candidates collectively drawing over 60,000 votes. Many votes went to the SDPI candidate, who secured 18,975 votes. This split has been linked to dissatisfaction among sections of the Muslim community over Congress ticket allocation.
Sringeri: Dramatic Recount Seals BJP Win
In Sringeri, after three days of procedural uncertainty, BJP's D N Jeevaraj was declared elected over Congress candidate T D Rajegowda by just 52 votes following a recount that overturned the initial result. The returning officer issued the election certificate after clearance from the Election Commission. Congress plans to challenge the result legally.
Political Reactions
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, "This mandate reflects both the achievements of our government and the enduring strength of the party's ideology. Despite misinformation campaigns and the influence of money power, voters in both constituencies reaffirmed their trust in the Congress and our governance."
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar attributed the results to voter support for welfare schemes. "People have noted that our government is not only implementing the five guarantee schemes but also ensuring efficient governance. The support is clear for us to return to power in 2028," he said.
On the narrow win in Davanagere South, Shivakumar added, "We expected a bigger margin there. We have been informed that EVM-VVPAT verification is pending in some areas. Around 1,500 votes are yet to be counted, and with a current lead of about 4,900 votes, our candidate's victory is almost certain. The SDPI candidate secured around 19,000 votes. In politics and elections, 49 is equivalent to zero and 51 is equivalent to a hundred."
He also highlighted Bagalkot's strong showing: "In Bagalkot, we won by a narrow margin in the last election. This bypoll, our candidate has won by 22,332 votes. In rural areas, families told our workers that the guarantee schemes have improved their lives."
The results come as a relief for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah amid leadership tensions with his deputy D K Shivakumar.
