Davangere South bypoll turns prestige battle as Congress faces AHINDA and minority ticket pressure

Davangere: With two Assembly constituencies in Karnataka set to go to bypolls, political activity has intensified, particularly in Davangere South, which has emerged as a high-stakes prestige battle for both the Congress and the BJP. The seat fell vacant following the death of senior Congress leader and six-time MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa, triggering intense jockeying for tickets and sharpening factional and community-based demands.

The Congress, which has traditionally dominated Davangere South, now finds itself under pressure from local AHINDA leaders demanding that the party field a candidate from backward classes, with strong insistence that minorities be given first preference. Several Muslim leaders have openly opposed the idea of offering the ticket to a member of the Shamanur family, arguing that there is no rule mandating family succession after a leader’s death. They have even assured cross-party support if a minority candidate is nominated.

Davangere South has so far remained out of the BJP’s grasp, making it a Congress stronghold and a political fortress built by Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s repeated victories. However, his demise has opened up the field. While many initially assumed that a family member would be the natural choice, multiple aspirants and pressure groups have entered the fray, making the contest politically volatile.

AHINDA leaders point out that nearly 80% of the electorate in the constituency belongs to AHINDA communities, with Muslims forming a significant portion. They argue that justice demands a ticket for minorities or other backward communities such as Kurubas and Valmikis. Failure to do so, they warn, could force them to take “independent decisions” in the future, an implicit threat to party unity.

During a recent visit to Davangere, Minority Welfare Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan was approached by Muslim leaders, who urged him to convey their demand to the Congress high command. They cited a video from the 2023 Assembly election campaign in which Shamanur Shivashankarappa reportedly promised that the next ticket would go to a Muslim candidate, strengthening expectations within the community.

Within the Congress, ticket aspirants include Syed Saifulla, his son and AICC Youth Congress secretary Syed Khalid Ahmed, MLC Abdul Jabbar, and Ayub Pailwan. Several leaders have also voiced strong opposition to what they term “family politics,” warning that denying AHINDA representation would have long-term political consequences.

The BJP, sensing a rare opportunity to open its account in Davangere South, is also witnessing intense infighting. The party has been faction-ridden since the last Lok Sabha election, with groups loyal to former MP G.M. Siddeshwar and former minister M.P. Renukacharya pushing rival candidates. Names such as Yashwanth Rao Jadhav, Srinivas Dasarikiyappa, and Ajay Kumar are doing the rounds, even as party leaders publicly claim they will abide by the high command’s decision.

According to official data, the constituency has 2,31,062 voters, including 1,13,538 men, 1,17,479 women, and 47 others, along with over 4,800 young voters and more than 2,500 persons with disabilities, spread across 217 polling booths.

Political observers note that the Congress decision in Davangere South could set the tone for future elections. Leaders have warned that ignoring minority and AHINDA demands in the bypoll may have repercussions in the 2028 Assembly elections, making the high command’s choice both sensitive and consequential.