Karnataka bypolls: A litmus test for Siddaramaiah, D K Shivakumar & Vijayendra

Bengaluru: The April 9 bypoll battle at Davangere South and Bagalkote is heating up with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his ministers campaigning extensively across the two constituencies that fell vacant following the demise of Shamanur Shivashankarappa and H Y Meti, respectively.

The ruling Congress hopes to retain both seats, while the BJP is hoping to dent Congress’ votes and wrest the seats as it would serve as a referendum on the Siddaramaiah government’s performance, particularly its five poll guarantees. The stakes are higher given that the Congress last swept the Sandur, Channapatna and Shiggaon bypolls two years ago, facing minimal anti-incumbency then.

Though the bypolls will not alter the Assembly’s arithmetic — Congress (138), BJP (63), JD(S) (18), three unattached members and two vacancies - the contests will be a litmus test for key leaders. If Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar are locked in a power tussle, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra is battling internal resistance and is keen to assert his leadership through a strong showing.

In Davangere South, Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan and Horticulture Minister S S Mallikarjun sparred over the party giving ticket to latter’s son Samarth over a Muslim candidate. While the party managed to placate rebel Sadiq Pailwan, several Muslim candidates remain in the fray, reflecting discontent within a community of nearly 85,000 voters. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are campaigning separately. Shivakumar and AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala engaged minority leaders amid unease, as Zameer is wary of campaigning for Samarth fearing backlash.

BJP’s Srinivas Dasa Kariyappa, an ST leader, is hoping to garner the crucial AHINDA votes and Lingayat votes. Veteran leader B S Yediyurappa sharing the stage with former MP G M Siddeshwar, who rebelled against Vijayendra, signals attempts to project unity. 

In Bagalkot, the Congress is banking on AHINDA consolidation, with Siddaramaiah and his son Yathindra backing Umesh Meti, who takes on BJP’s Veeranna Charantimath. 

Yathindra seeking votes to “strengthen” his father’s hand or Siddaramaiah asserting he would continue as CM, indicate that a win could cement Siddaramaiah’s position in the government and
the party.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah flanked by minister S S Mallikarjun and his son and candidate from Davangere South Samarth Shamanur speaks during a road show at Naganur on Wednesday.