Bengaluru, April 9 The by-elections in Karnataka for two Assembly constituencies – Bagalkot and Davanagere South – where voting is in progress, saw a turnout of 54.82% and 49.66% respectively by 3 pm on Thursday.
While the ruling Congress faces the challenge of retaining both seats, the BJP aims to win them and deal a setback to its rival, which is currently experiencing an "internal power struggle" over leadership.
The by-elections were necessitated due to the demise of senior Congress MLAs H Y Meti (Bagalkot) and Shamanur Shivashankarappa (Davanagere South).
A total of over 2.59 lakh eligible voters are expected to cast their votes at around 319 polling stations in Bagalkot, where nine candidates are contesting.
In Davanagere South, over 2.31 lakh eligible voters are expected to vote across 284 polling stations, with 25 candidates contesting.
The BJP has fielded former MLA and 2023 defeated candidate Veerabhadrayya Charantimath from Bagalkot, and a fresh face, Srinivas T Dasakariyappa, from Davanagere South.
The Congress has given tickets to the family members of the late legislators in both constituencies. Bagalkot candidate Umesh Meti is the son of H Y Meti, while Samarth Mallikarjun from Davanagere South is the grandson of Shamanur Shivashankarappa.