Karnataka by-elections: BJP fields ST leader in Davangere, Charanthimath in Bagalkot

Bengaluru: BJP fielded first-time candidate Srinivasa T Dasakariyappa, vice-president of the party's Karnataka ST Morcha, from the Davangere South assembly constituency for the upcoming bypolls, while it nominated former MLA Veeranna Charanthimath in Bagalkot.Srinivasa filed his nomination papers Friday, accompanied by party functionaries, including Ajay Kumar BG, a defeated candidate of the 2023 general election.JD(S) has extended its support to both BJP candidates."There were no strong candidates from JD(S) in the 2023 general elections for both constituencies. We have no objection to BJP fielding its candidates and we will support them," said KA Thippeswamy, former member of the legislative council from JD(S).Srinivasa has been associated with BJP for over 20 years and holds a degree in information technology. He has been the state vice-president of the party's ST Morcha for the past three years.His father T Dasakariyappa was a former chairman of the Davanagere Urban Development Authority.Charanthimath had been elected to the assembly in 2004, 2008 and 2018, but he lost in 2023 by a margin of 5,878 votes.Meanwhile, Karnataka state BJP president BY Vijayendra expressed confidence that the party will register a decisive victory in the by-elections in the state.Speaking to reporters in Kalaburagi, Vijayendra said the party workers are enthusiastic and voters are keen to "teach a lesson" to the "anti-poor" and "anti-people" Congress govt.