Karnataka bypoll counting: Congress leads Bagalkot by 10,321; BJP narrows ahead in Davanagere South
Synopsis
Karnataka's two bypoll counts are delivering contrasting early stories: Congress is building a 10,000-plus cushion in Bagalkot while BJP's lead in Davanagere South is melting fast — from 8,539 to 3,925 votes by round seven. Both seats carry personal prestige for CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, and BJP is chasing a historic first win in Davanagere South.
Key Takeaways
Congress leads Bagalkot by 10,321 votes after the 13th round; candidate Umesh Meti has polled 53,849 votes .
BJP's lead in Davanagere South has narrowed from 8,539 to 3,925 votes after the 7th round.
Bagalkot bypoll was triggered by the death of MLA H.Y.
Meti ; his son Umesh Meti is the Congress candidate.
Davanagere South bypoll followed the death of Congress veteran Shamanur Shivashankarappa ; his grandson Samarth Mallikarjun is contesting.
Prestige of CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K.
Shivakumar is at stake in both seats.
Final results expected later on Monday, 4 May , with 21 rounds in Davanagere South and 23 rounds in Bagalkot.
Vote counting for the Karnataka Assembly bypolls in Davanagere South and Bagalkot is underway on Monday, 4 May, with early trends showing the ruling Indian National Congress (Congress) holding a commanding 10,321-vote lead in Bagalkot, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retains a narrowing advantage of 3,925 votes in Davanagere South. The results carry significant political weight for both parties ahead of future electoral cycles in Karnataka.
Davanagere South: BJP Lead Shrinks
After the seventh round of counting out of a total of 21 rounds, BJP candidate Srinivasa T. Dasakariyappa leads with 25,878 votes against Congress candidate Samarth Mallikarjun's 21,953 votes. Notably, BJP's margin has narrowed sharply — from 8,539 votes in earlier rounds to 3,925 votes — signalling a tightening contest as counting progresses.
The bypoll in Davanagere South was necessitated by the death of veteran Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa. The Congress fielded his grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun, banking on legacy and family goodwill, while the BJP nominated Srinivasa T. Dasakariyappa, a party leader from the oppressed classes, in a bid to consolidate social coalition votes. The BJP is seeking its first-ever victory in this Assembly segment, making the contest historically significant.
Following allegations of anti-party activities, Congress removed two MLCs from party positions after announcing its candidate — an internal friction that opposition leaders have cited as a potential drag on Congress's vote consolidation.
Bagalkot: Congress Candidate Builds Strong Cushion
In Bagalkot, Congress candidate Umesh Meti has secured 53,849 votes after the 13th round of a total of 23 rounds, leading BJP candidate Veeranna Charantimath, who has polled 43,528 votes — a gap of more than 10,000 votes.
The Bagalkot bypoll was triggered by the untimely death of sitting MLA H.Y. Meti. His son, Umesh Meti, is contesting as the Congress candidate, continuing a pattern of parties fielding family members of deceased legislators in bypoll contests. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah campaigned extensively for Umesh Meti, underscoring the ruling party's determination to retain the seat.
Ground-Level Counting Arrangements
Counting in Bagalkot began at 8 am and is being conducted across 14 tables over 23 rounds, with 63 counting personnel deployed. Bagalkot Deputy Commissioner Sangappa confirmed that all preparations were in place. Candidates and election agents arrived at the counting centre by 7 am, and the strongroom was opened in their presence.
In Davanagere, Election Officer Santosh Kumar and Deputy Commissioner G.M. Gangadharaswamy reviewed counting preparations. The strongroom was opened in the presence of candidates' agents before counting commenced.
Political Stakes and What's Next
The prestige of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is directly at stake in both constituencies. A Congress sweep would reinforce the party's dominance in Karnataka following its 2023 Assembly election victory, while even a single BJP win — particularly in Davanagere South — would be framed as a revival signal for the opposition. With several rounds still to go in both seats, the final outcome is expected later on Monday.
Point of View
While a BJP victory in Davanagere South — where it has never won — would be outsized in symbolic value relative to its numerical weight. The sharp narrowing of BJP's lead in Davanagere South across just seven rounds is the detail mainstream coverage is underplaying: it suggests Congress's family-legacy gambit with Samarth Mallikarjun may be working. In Bagalkot, the sympathy wave for the Meti family, amplified by CM-level campaign investment, appears to have translated into a durable lead.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Karnataka bypoll results so far on 4 May 2025?
As of early counting on 4 May, Congress leads Bagalkot by 10,321 votes with candidate Umesh Meti polling 53,849 votes after 13 rounds. In Davanagere South, BJP's Srinivasa T. Dasakariyappa leads by 3,925 votes after 7 rounds, though his margin has narrowed significantly from 8,539 votes.
Why were bypolls held in Davanagere South and Bagalkot?
The Davanagere South bypoll was necessitated by the death of veteran Congress MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa, while the Bagalkot bypoll was triggered by the untimely demise of sitting MLA H.Y. Meti. Both parties fielded family members of the deceased legislators as candidates.
Who are the key candidates in the Karnataka bypolls?
In Davanagere South, BJP's Srinivasa T. Dasakariyappa faces Congress's Samarth Mallikarjun, grandson of the late Shamanur Shivashankarappa. In Bagalkot, Congress's Umesh Meti — son of the late H.Y. Meti — is contesting against BJP's Veeranna Charantimath.
What is the political significance of these bypolls for Congress and BJP?
A Congress sweep would reinforce Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's hold on Karnataka. For BJP, a win in Davanagere South would be historically significant as the party has never won that Assembly segment before.
When will the final Karnataka bypoll results be declared?
Final results are expected on Monday, 4 May, once all rounds of counting are completed — 21 rounds in Davanagere South and 23 rounds in Bagalkot.
