Congress Selects Candidates for Karnataka Bypolls

15 UPDATES · 17 DAYS · 20 MAR 2026 — 5 APR 2026

SiddaramaiahKarnatakaCongressKeralaNarendra ModiBJPBengaluru

Latest · 5 Apr 2026

Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan began a campaign in Davangere to support the Congress candidate, Samarth Mallikarjun.

What this timeline covers

This event covers the internal divisions within the Congress party over candidate selection for the upcoming bypolls in Davangere South and Bagalkot Assembly constituencies, including reactions, analyses, and follow-up developments related to this specific occurrence. It excludes other actions by the Congress party, BJP, or within the regions of Davangere South and Bagalkot unless they are direct developments of this candidate selection controversy.

The full story, from the beginning

20Mar

STORY BEGINS — The Hindu

Karnataka Bypolls: Congress faces internal rift over choice of candidate in Davanagere South, Bagalkot

The Hindu

The BJP has nominated candidates for the Bagalkot and Davangere South by-elections, while the Congress faces internal conflicts in selecting its candidates.

22Mar

The Hindu

The Congress party has selected Umesh Meti and Samarth Mallikarjun as its candidates for the upcoming Karnataka bypolls.

The Hindu

The Congress party aims to retain the Davangere and Bagalkot seats in upcoming by-elections, selecting candidates with high win potential.

The Hindu

Disgruntled candidate Mohammad Sadiq Pehelwan announced an independent candidacy after claiming the Davangere South Assembly bypoll candidate selection favored the Lingayat community.

23Mar

The Hindu

BJP candidates in the Bagalkot and Davangere South byelections reported significantly higher asset values than their Congress counterparts.

The Hindu

Candidates from the Congress and BJP filed nomination papers for the Davangere South and Bagalkot byelections, with accompanying ministers and former Chief Ministers.

27Mar

The Hindu

Congress rebel candidate Sadiq Pahilwan withdrew from the Davangere South by-election after negotiations with party leaders.

29Mar

The Hindu

Vijayendra, a BJP leader, campaigned in Davangere, emphasizing past welfare initiatives by his father and urging voters to support the BJP candidate.

The Hindu

Veeranna Charantimath, the BJP candidate in the Bagalkot bypoll, faces a difficult campaign with limited support from party leaders.

3Apr

The Hindu

Basanagouda Patil Yatnal launched a campaign supporting Veerabhadrayya Charantimath in the Bagalkot bypoll, criticizing opposing party leaders.

4Apr

The Hindu

The Bagalkot Assembly bypoll is a close race between Veerabhadrayya and Umesh Hullappa Meti, with key issues including land compensation and irrigation expansion.

5Apr

The Hindu

R. Ashok accuses D.K. Shivakumar of indirectly aiding the BJP in the upcoming bypolls, alleging senior Congress leaders are involved and demanding a fair election.

The Hindu

The upcoming Davangere South byelection will hinge on the decision of minority voters, particularly Muslims, who are demanding representation and concerned about the lack of development.

LATEST UPDATE — The Hindu

Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan began a campaign in Davangere to support the Congress candidate, Samarth Mallikarjun.

Story concluded