Announcement of bypolls could shift focus in budget session

Bengaluru: The ongoing budget session of the legislature could be overshadowed by the bypolls to two assembly seats — Davanagere South and Bagalkot — with an announcement expected as early as mid-week.These bypolls will kick off a lengthy election season which would lead up to the assembly elections in 2028. The govt has committed to the Supreme Court that it would hold polls to the five Greater Bengaluru city corporations before the end of June, and notified ward reservations on Saturday. The Karnataka State Election Commission (SEC) will finalise the voter list on April 6 and officials confirmed polls will follow within 45 days. "It is a rare scenario where a series of elections are lined up before assembly polls," said Saleem Ahmed, Congress chief whip in the legislative council. "They will not just keep us busy but will also help us prepare for state elections." Stakes are sky-high for governing Congress and principal opposition BJP in both bypolls and Greater Bengaluru (GB) elections. Congress holds both assembly seats and must retain them while securing the most seats in GB corporations to affirm its clout. "The party is well prepared for both elections. We have no doubt about winning them decisively," said GC Chandrashekhar, KPCC working president. On the other hand, BJP aims to snatch the assembly seats and assert its dominance in Bengaluru — where Congress remains strong. It would be a stern test for BY Vijayendra, who has faced strong headwinds from within ever after he was elevated to president of the Karnataka BJP unit. Speculation is swirling over his continuance as his three-year term ends in Nov. "We are aware of realities and have taken it as a challenge to win all upcoming elections leading up to the 2028 polls. BJP will grow stronger under Vijayendra's leadership and it will face assembly polls with renewed vigour," said Sharnu Salagar, MLA and Vijayendra loyalist. The govt also faces mandates for long-delayed zilla and taluk panchayat polls across the state and pending over five years, plus elections for 5,600 gram panchayats. SEC officials expect these after Aug, post-exam season, once reservations are notified. Civic polls also loom for 11 of 12 city corporations (excluding Vijayapura, whose term ends Oct 2027), including Mysuru, Mangaluru, Tumakuru, Hassan, Ballari, and the proposed bifurcation of Hubballi-Dharwad. Additionally, 236 city municipal councils await elections. Biennial polls add to frenzy Legislative council elections for two graduate and two teachers' constituencies will be due in June and are crucial for Congress, which is eying a majority in the Upper House. Rajya Sabha polls will fill four Karnataka seats, including those vacated by former PM HD Deve Gowda and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge; Congress could win three, leaving one for BJP.