Karnataka bypolls 2026: Congress wins Bagalkot, leads in Davangere

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, May 4, 2026: Umesh Meti, a political novice and son of former MLA H.Y. Meti, secured his maiden victory from the Bagalkot constituency in the bypoll held following his father’s demise. He defeated BJP candidate and three-time MLA Veeranna Charantimath by a margin of 21,866 votes.

In Davangere South, after 20 rounds of counting, Congress was leading by 4,967 votes over the BJP. Samarth Mallikarjun polled 67,576 votes, while the BJP secured 62,609 votes and SDPI 18,471 votes. With just one round remaining, Congress is expected to retain the seat by a narrow margin. Party workers have already begun celebrations in the city ahead of the official announcement.

Congress had initially trailed in Davangere South but recovered midway through the counting process.

According to the Election Commission, in Bagalkot, Umesh Meti maintained a decisive lead after 19 rounds of counting. With only a few rounds remaining, it became nearly impossible for his BJP rival to close the gap.

In a rare incident, officials had to break open the locks of three strongrooms storing electronic voting machines on Monday after the keys went missing.

The bypolls, held on April 9, were necessitated by the deaths of senior Congress MLAs H.Y. Meti (Bagalkot) and Shamanur Shivashankarappa (Davangere South).

While the outcome is unlikely to significantly alter the state’s political landscape, the elections were seen as a prestige battle between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP. Congress aimed to retain both seats, while the BJP sought to wrest them amid ongoing internal leadership challenges within the ruling party.

Voter turnout stood at 68.74 per cent in Bagalkot and 68.43 per cent in Davangere South.

Counting took place under tight security at the University of Horticultural Sciences in Bagalkot and DRR School in Davangere. Fourteen tables were set up at each centre for counting EVM votes. A total of nine candidates contested in Bagalkot, while 25 were in the fray in Davangere South.

The BJP fielded Veerabhadrayya Charantimath in Bagalkot and newcomer Srinivas T. Dasakariyappa in Davangere South. The Congress, meanwhile, gave tickets to family members of the deceased leaders—Umesh Meti in Bagalkot and Samarth Mallikarjun, grandson of Shamanur Shivashankarappa, in Davangere South.

Samarth Mallikarjun’s father, S.S. Mallikarjun, is a minister in the Siddaramaiah-led cabinet and in charge of Davangere district, while his mother, Prabha Mallikarjun, is a Member of Parliament.