All eyes on Davanagere & Bagalkot bypoll results today, counting at 8am

Pic: Davanagere DC GM Gangadharswamy (L) inspects the Davanagere South assembly bypoll counting centre on SundayDavanagere: Counting for the Davanagere and Bagalkot by-elections will take place today. Early trends are expected to offer a clear indication of the likely outcome, by around 11am.In Davanagere South, the contest is being viewed largely as a direct fight between the Congress and BJP. The by-election has drawn unusual attention, as it is the first by-polls after the death of Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa, under whose influence the party long enjoyed a comfortable advantage in the constituency.Congress has now fielded his grandson, Samarth Shamanur, hoping to retain both the family legacy and the party's traditional support base. BJP, however, has attempted to alter the electoral equation by fielding Srinivas Dasakariyappa, from the ST community in this general seat. The move is being seen as an effort to consolidate backward class support and make a serious push in a constituency where the party has never won since its formation.This strategy has added a new layer of uncertainty to the contest and has put Congress under pressure. Congress has also had to deal with internal strain. There was visible dissatisfaction among some minority leaders over ticket distribution, and demands were raised for representation of Muslims and backward classes.Though one rebel candidate withdrew after intervention by senior leaders, other Muslim candidates, including those from the SDPI, remained in the race. Observers believe that if Congress' traditional minority vote splits and backward class voters consolidate elsewhere, the ruling party could face an unexpected challenge.The intensity of the battle was reflected in the scale of campaigning. Chief minister, deputy chief minister, ministers and legislators campaigned for Congress, while BJP deployed former chief ministers, central ministers and senior state leaders.Counting is being held at the DRR educational institution under tight security. A three-tier security arrangement is in place, with the area around the counting centre declared a vehicle-free and restricted zone. Even before the result, the expulsion of some Muslim Congress leaders for alleged anti-party activity has added further intrigue to an already closely watched contest.What to expect in Davanagere South:* Complete results expected by noon* Arrangements at DRR educational institution* Counting on 14 tables* Postal vote counting starts at 8am* Machine vote counting begins at 8.30amStatistics at the by-polls* Voting took place on April 9* Total voters: 231,072* Votes cast: 158,131* Turnout: 68.4%* Candidates in the fray: 25