Bengaluru: Amid speculation of multiple aspirants in the fray and family rift over candidature, Congress Sunday announced Samarth Mallikarjun and Umesh Meti as party’s candidates for the April 9 by-elections to Davangere South and Bagalkot, respectively.Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president D K Shivakumar said the party has followed the tradition of giving tickets to the family members of the late legislators. He expressed confidence of retaining both seats. While Davanagere South seat was held by Shamanur Shivashankarappa, Bagalkot was represented by H Y Meti, both from Congress.Following days of “negotiations” with the Muslim community seeking a ticket from Davangere, which has a 40% voting population in the segment, it was decided to continue with the Congress template of giving ticket to the family member of the legislator who passed away and necessitated the bypoll.Since Congress had decided to pick Meti’s son for Bagalkot, the party had to look within Shamanur family and select grandson Samarth for bypoll candidature.
