Bengaluru, March 27 -- A crowded and politically significant contest is shaping up in Karnataka with 34 candidates in the fray for the April 9 bypolls to Bagalkot and Davanagere South Assembly constituencies, as the Congress seeks to retain both seats while the BJP eyes gains in what is being seen as an early test of political momentum in the state.
According to the Chief Electoral Officer's office, nine candidates remain in the fray in Bagalkote after five withdrawals from 14 valid nominations, while Davanagere South has a multi-cornered contest with 25 candidates following scrutiny of 45 nominations.
The bypolls were triggered by the deaths of sitting Congress MLAs HY Meti and Shamanur Shivashankarappa, turning the contests into high-st...