Siddaramaiah to campaign for five days in Bagalkote bypoll, heats up political battle

Bagalkote,  : The political heat is intensifying in the Bagalkote Assembly constituency ahead of the by-election scheduled on April 9, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah set to spearhead an aggressive campaign for Congress candidate Umesh Meti.

The bypoll was necessitated following the demise of senior leader H.Y. Meti, a prominent figure from the Halumatha community and a close associate of the Chief Minister. After internal discussions and a brief tussle within the family over the party ticket, the Congress nominated his second son, Umesh Meti, as its official candidate.

Taking the contest seriously, Siddaramaiah is entering the campaign trail from March 30 and will spend five days in the constituency canvassing votes. The move is seen as an attempt to consolidate both political support and community sentiment in favour of the Congress candidate.

According to the schedule, the Chief Minister will travel from Bengaluru by a special flight to Ballari district and then proceed by helicopter to the Almatti dam region. He will begin his campaign at Sutagundar village around 1 pm, addressing public gatherings and seeking votes for Umesh Meti.

Later in the day, Siddaramaiah is expected to visit Naynegali, Rampur, and Bevur villages before halting for the night at Almatti. On March 31, he will continue campaigning in Mugalloli, Neelanagar, Aihole, and Aminagad, covering key pockets of the constituency.

Party sources indicate that Siddaramaiah’s extended campaign reflects the importance the Congress leadership has attached to this bypoll. Unlike previous elections where his presence was limited, the Chief Minister is dedicating significant time to ensure the party retains the seat.

Political observers note that the Congress is aiming to leverage both governance credentials and emotional appeal linked to H.Y. Meti’s legacy. The party is also focusing on grassroots mobilisation despite the scorching summer conditions.

Meanwhile, opposition parties are also stepping up their campaigns, making the Bagalkote by-election a closely watched contest. With high-profile campaigning underway, the constituency is witnessing intense political activity as polling day approaches.