The state Congress leadership on Friday secured support for Davangere South Assembly rebel candidate Sadiq Pelawan, who agreed to campaign for the official candidate despite remaining in the by-election contest.
Since the deadline for withdrawing nominations ended on March 26, Al-Sadiq’s name will remain on the ballot. But party leaders said his decision to align with Congress would help prevent vote-splitting on a seat the party considers crucial.
The intervention came after a series of coordinated efforts led by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who met Sadiq at his Kumara Park residence. The meeting followed outreach by SLA Rizwan Arshad and Legislative Council Speaker Salim Ahmed, who had earlier tried to convince the rebel leader at his home in Davanagere.
Sadiq later met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at Vidhana Soudha along with his supporters, where he reiterated his willingness to work for the party’s candidate.
Explaining the outreach, Shivakumar said, “Our legislators Rizwan Arshad and Saleem Ahmed have been given the responsibility of speaking to Sadiq Pelawan, who has filed his nomination as an independent candidate, expressing his displeasure over the allotment of ticket to Samarth Mallikarjun, grandson of veteran Congress leader late Shamanoor Shivashankarappa.”
“Rizwan and Saleem acted on the directions of the Prime Minister and I. They went and managed to calm him down. His entire family is known to me. His son and brother held important positions, and we spoke to him. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also spoke to him on Thursday evening,” he said.
Shivakumar added that Sadiq agreed without setting conditions. “He has come here as promised and I am confident that he will work for the party’s victory. We also have a responsibility to ensure its growth. He has not made any demands; his only concern is to ensure the Congress party’s victory.”
Rizwan Arshad described the negotiations as necessary to avoid benefiting the BJP. “I met Salim Ahmed Sadiq and later held discussions with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Sadiq has had a long association with the Congress party over the years and under no circumstances should the BJP be allowed to take advantage. This issue has been discussed with the Prime Minister,” he said.
“Sadiq agreed. We had said yesterday itself that the issue will be resolved. After our request, he agreed and came here. He has a 40-year relationship with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He will also talk to Deputy Prime Minister and Randeep Surjewala,” he added.
But Sadiq has not yet commented on the matter.
The incident highlights internal tensions in Davanagiri South, a constituency that the Congress has long held since its formation in 2008 under the leadership of Chamanur Shivashankarappa. Party leaders were concerned that dissatisfaction with the ticket allocation might break its base.
The Congress Party nominated Samarth Mallikarjun, the late leader’s grandson, a choice that sparked criticism from sections of the Muslim community and progressive groups over the dynastic policies. Shivakumar defended the selection, saying the candidate brings a modern outlook, citing his education abroad and his “vision”.
He also referred to the political role of Samarth’s mother, Prabha Mallikarjun, MP from Davanagere, and said the party convinced her to contest the elections and she has since become an asset.
Samarth’s father, SS Mallikarjun, is a minister in the Siddaramaiah government, where he holds the posts of mines, geology and horticulture.
The BJP has nominated Srinivas T Dasakaryappa, a popular leader from the Scheduled Tribe community, who is seen by party insiders as a strong contender capable of expanding the party’s presence in the constituency. Party insiders describe him as maintaining cordial relations between communities, which positions him as a potential candidate in a seat that the BJP is yet to win.
