New Delhi, 22 March (H.S.):

The Congress has named its candidates for the two upcoming assembly by‑elections in Karnataka, finalising the party’s line‑up as polling for both seats is scheduled for 9 April 2026. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has approved the names of the nominees, giving the party’s official go‑ahead after internal consultations.

General Secretary K C Venugopal disclosed that the Congress has fielded Umesh Meti as its candidate from the Bagalkot (24) assembly constituency. From the Davanagere South (107) assembly seat, the party has chosen Samarth Mallikarjun as its nominee. The decisions come amid intense preparations on the ground, with both constituencies seen as politically significant for the ruling Congress in the state.

The by‑elections in these two seats were necessitated by vacancies created in the state assembly, and the Congress leadership is treating the results as an important test of the party’s strength ahead of future electoral contests. Party leaders have directed district units to mobilise workers and launch focused campaigns in support of the newly announced candidates.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar