Davangere South bypoll: Samarth Shamanur upbeat of big win, continue the legacy

Davangere

As an intense, high-stakes campaign for the Davangere South Assembly bypoll drew to a close on Tuesday, the constituency slipped into silence after days of relentless political activity. Candidates made their final appeals, seeking to sway undecided voters. Amid this charged atmosphere, Congress candidate Samarth Shamanur Mallikarjun who spoke with News Trail expressed confidence, citing strong grassroots support and a growing wave of public trust.

You are contesting an election for the first time. How has the response been?
Samarth Shamanur: The response has been very encouraging—you can see it yourself. Wherever we go, people are coming out of their homes in large numbers. They are openly sharing their concerns and expectations with us. This shows their confidence that we are the kind of representatives who will genuinely work for them. I have full faith that they will bless us with a huge majority.

What are the key issues you are focusing on in this election?
Samarth Shamanur: I would like to say this with pride—I am perhaps the only candidate consistently speaking about employment. It is disappointing that others are not addressing it seriously. My focus is on three key areas- healthcare, housing and employment. I have spoken extensively about these, and my aim is to take these priorities forward in a meaningful way.

Your opponents say you received the ticket due to your influential family background. How do you respond?
Samarth Shamanur: That is not true. Everyone knows how the process works. It is the party workers and grassroots leaders who ultimately decide. They support a candidate who can unite people across classes, religions, and castes—and that is the strength I bring.

There is a perception that South Davangere has seen less development compared to the North. Is that valid?
Samarth Shamanur: South Davangere is the old part of the city. In every city, the old town has its own character, and expansion happens outward. So, instead of comparing North and South, we should look at Davangere as a whole. In fact, South Davangere has grown significantly—it now has several colleges and schools and has evolved into an education cluster and an economic hub. Many people from North Davangere have even moved and settled here.