Minister Satish Jarkiholi was speaking to reporters at the Congress Bhavan in Belagavi on Sunday. | Photo credit: PK BADIGER
“Davangere and Bagalkot are strong citadels of the Congress. We will try to retain them (in the polls),” minister and KPCC working president Satish Jarkiholi said in Belagavi on Sunday.
“We are confident of winning two seats with comfortable margins. If there is discontent among some leaders and workers in some areas, senior leaders will work to resolve it,” he told reporters.
The probability of winning the vote is the main factor in choosing candidates for the two seats, he said.
“Family politics is not limited to our party or our state. It exists in Congress and other parties, in Karnataka and other states. We have to choose candidates who have high chances of winning,” he said.
He said that Umesh Meti was chosen as a candidate in Bagalkot because it is the wish of the people and not for any other reason.
“The people of Bagalkot have immense respect for the Meti family. It will help our candidate. We have been preparing for the by-election for the last two months. Our hopes are high,” he said.
He said he will campaign in both Bagalkot and Davangere, though he will spend more time in Bagalkot.
Published – 22 March 2026 19:34 IST
