AICC on Sunday announced Samarth Shamanur as its candidate for Davanagere South, despite intense lobbying by the Muslim leaders including Housing Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan. Sections of the local Hindu leaders too demanded that the ticket be given to a Muslim member this time.
The 27-year-old Congress candidate is the grandson of Shamanur Shivashankarappa, an influential Lingayat leader and a wealthy Congressman whose death in December has caused the bypoll. He headed the Veerashaiva Mahasabha, the apex body of Lingayats, Karnataka’s largest community.
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The Congress candidate’s father SS Mallikarjun represents Davanagere North in the assembly and is also a cabinet minister while mother, Prabha Mallikarjun represents Davanagere in the Lok Sabha.
Top Congress leaders AICC general secretary RS Surjewala, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Dy CM DK Shivakumar discussed with Muslim leaders including Rajya Sabha member Nasir Hussain, minister Khan and others on Saturday to resolve the logjam. They are reported to have promised to consider the claims of Muslims later.
Muslims were firm on Davanagere South reminding the Congress leaders a word of assurance from the late Shamnur Shivashankarappa that the seat would go to a minority leader after his time. With an estimated 30% of the local population, Muslims form majority in Davanagere South followed by Lingayats.Also Read: Assam assembly polls: Congress unveils fourth list of 7 candidates, leaves 11 seats for ally Raijor Dal
Until the last minute, both camps held to their guns that even before the AICC finalized a candidate, Samarth Shamanur and local Muslim leader Sadique Pailwan filed their nominations as independents. Monday is the last day for filing of nominations for the bypolls scheduled for April 9.
In Bagalkot, the party announced Umesh Meti, the younger son of the former minister HY Meti, a prominent Kuruba leader who held the seat until his death in November. Both his sons had claimed the ticket, but the party leadership finally chose the younger son.
In the faction-ridden Davanagere South and Bagalkot, the Congress party’s prospect depends on the local leaders closing the rank and working for the official candidate.
