Congress Nominates Umesh Meti and Samarth Mallikarjun in Karnataka Bypolls

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Mar 22, 2026: The Congress party has named Umesh Meti and Samarth Mallikarjun as its candidates for the upcoming by-elections in Karnataka’s Bagalkot and Davanagere South assembly constituencies, respectively.

Umesh Meti is the son of late Congress leader Meti Hullappa Yamanappa, a former MLA from Bagalkot. Samarth Mallikarjun is the son of Karnataka Minister SS Mallikarjun. The Bagalkot seat fell vacant following the death of HY Meti, while the Davanagere South constituency was vacated after the demise of Shamanur Shivashankarappa.

The bypolls to these constituencies, along with seats in Goa, Nagaland and Tripura, will be held on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4.

Samarth Mallikarjun’s candidature was finalised during a meeting attended by AICC General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, along with other senior leaders.

SS Mallikarjun collected the B-form from KPCC president DK Shivakumar on behalf of his son, who had filed his nomination earlier. Expressing confidence, Samarth Mallikarjun said he was optimistic of victory with the support of party workers.

The Congress candidates will face BJP nominees Viranna Charantimath in Bagalkot and Srinivas T Dasakariyappa in Davanagere South.

Meanwhile, the Congress also announced T Chalukumba Ao as its candidate for the by-election to the 28 Koridang-ST Assembly constituency in Nagaland, which fell vacant following the death of BJP leader Imkong L Imchen. He is set to contest against Daochier I Imchen.

Polling for the first phase of by-elections in Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland and Tripura will be held on April 9, followed by the second phase in Gujarat and Maharashtra on April 23. Counting for all constituencies will take place on May 4.