Karnataka Bypolls: Congress leads Bagalkot by 17,205 votes after 21 rounds
Synopsis
With 21 of 23 counting rounds done, Congress candidate Umesh Meti holds a 17,205-vote lead in Bagalkot — a seat his father once held. Simultaneously, Congress is ahead in Davanagere South too, signalling the ruling party's grip on Karnataka remains firm even as it navigates a wider five-state election day.
Key Takeaways
Umesh Meti (Congress) leads Bagalkot bypoll by 17,205 votes after the 21st round of counting.
Meti has secured 87,624 votes ; BJP's Veeranna Charantimath trails at 70,419 votes .
In Davanagere South , Congress candidate Samarth Mallikarjun leads with 37,419 votes against BJP's Srinivasa T.
Dasakariyappa at 29,503 votes after 11 rounds .
Both bypolls were necessitated by the deaths of sitting Congress MLAs; the party fielded family members of the deceased in both seats.
CM Siddaramaiah expressed confidence of winning both seats and noted Congress was leading in 95 seats in Kerala, ahead of its own projection of 76–80 .
Congress candidate Umesh Meti has surged to a commanding lead of 17,205 votes in the Bagalkot Assembly bypoll in Karnataka after the completion of the 21st round of counting, with only two rounds remaining. A Congress victory in the seat is now widely considered certain, as the party has maintained its lead from the very first round of counting.
Bagalkot Counting: Current Tally
As of the 21st round, Congress candidate Umesh Meti has secured 87,624 votes, while Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Veeranna Charantimath has polled 70,419 votes. With a total of 23 rounds of counting scheduled, the remaining two rounds are unlikely to alter the outcome, according to party observers on the ground.
Congress workers in Bagalkot erupted in celebration, bursting firecrackers and throwing gulal while holding portraits of Umesh Meti. The bypoll was necessitated by the untimely death of sitting MLA H.Y. Meti, whose son Umesh Meti is contesting the seat. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah campaigned extensively for the Congress candidate in the run-up to the election.
Davanagere South: Congress Holds Steady Lead
In the Davanagere South constituency, Congress candidate Samarth Mallikarjun is leading with 37,419 votes against BJP's Srinivasa T. Dasakariyappa, who has polled 29,503 votes after the 11th round of counting. A total of 21 rounds are scheduled in this constituency.
The Davanagere South bypoll was triggered by the death of veteran Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa. The party fielded his grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun, as its candidate, while the BJP nominated Srinivasa T. Dasakariyappa, described as a leader from the oppressed classes.
What CM Siddaramaiah Said
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed confidence that Congress will win both bypolls. He acknowledged that the victory margin in Davanagere South may be narrower due to local factors, but maintained that the party would still prevail. On the broader five-state election results, Siddaramaiah said the outcome in Assam was on expected lines. He noted that in Kerala, Congress had performed better than anticipated, saying the party was leading in 95 seats against its own projection of 76 to 80 seats. He also suggested there may be an anti-incumbency wave in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, and said he would congratulate Vijay of the TVK party on the latter's strong showing in Tamil Nadu.
Background: Why These Bypolls Were Held
Both Karnataka bypolls were necessitated by the deaths of sitting legislators — a pattern that has placed the spotlight on the Congress government's ability to retain seats in the state. The ruling party fielded family members of the deceased MLAs in both constituencies, a strategy that appears to be paying dividends, at least in Bagalkot. All eyes will now turn to the final vote tallies and the official declaration of results.
Point of View
A grandson in Davanagere South — is a calculated bet on sympathy votes and name recognition, and it appears to be working. But it also raises a longer-term question about dynastic entrenchment within a party that frequently criticises the BJP for the same. For Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, these wins, if confirmed, are a much-needed political cushion as his government navigates fiscal pressures and guarantee-scheme scrutiny. The real test will be whether these margins hold when the sympathy factor is no longer on the ballot.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of the Bagalkot bypoll counting?
After the 21st of 23 counting rounds, Congress candidate Umesh Meti leads by 17,205 votes, having secured 87,624 votes against BJP's Veeranna Charantimath's 70,419. A Congress victory is widely considered certain with only two rounds remaining.
Why was the Bagalkot bypoll held?
The Bagalkot bypoll was necessitated by the untimely death of sitting MLA H.Y. Meti. His son, Umesh Meti, was fielded by Congress as the candidate for the seat.
Who is leading in the Davanagere South bypoll?
Congress candidate Samarth Mallikarjun is leading with 37,419 votes against BJP's Srinivasa T. Dasakariyappa, who has polled 29,503 votes after the 11th round of counting out of a total 21 rounds.
What did CM Siddaramaiah say about the bypoll results?
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed confidence that Congress would win both Bagalkot and Davanagere South, acknowledging the margin in Davanagere may be smaller. He also commented on the broader five-state results, noting Congress was leading in 95 seats in Kerala.
Why was the Davanagere South bypoll held?
The Davanagere South bypoll was triggered by the death of veteran Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa. The party nominated his grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun, while BJP fielded Srinivasa T. Dasakariyappa.
