In a sharp challenge to the Congress high command, veteran party worker and minority leader Sadiq Pailwan on Monday filed his nomination as a rebel candidate for the Davangere South Assembly by-election, declaring he would not withdraw despite the party’s decision to field the grandson of the late Shamanur Shivashankarappa.
Addressing the media immediately after filing his papers, Pailwan, who claims a four-decade-long association with the late Congress stalwart, expressed deep disappointment over the denial of the official ticket.
“I have served Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s family for 40 years. Along with the minority and Ahinda communities, we have ensured his victory six times. After his demise, the party assured us till the last minute that we would get the B-form. However, at the final hour, they rejected us,” Pailwan said.
He added that the Congress leadership had taken his application but ultimately chose to field the official candidate, widely understood to be Shamanur’s grandson Samarth Shamanur (also referred to as Samarth Mallikarjun in some reports).
Pailwan made it clear that he would not step back from the electoral battle.
“I am not under any pressure. I will fight as a rebel Congress candidate. The minorities and backward classes have been promised full support. My victory is certain,” he asserted.
Responding to reports that senior leaders Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar had spoken to him, Pailwan dismissed them as “false rumours”.
He said the people’s verdict on April 9 (polling date) would prove his point.
The by-election in Davangere South was necessitated following the death of five-time MLA and former minister Shamanur Shivashankarappa.
The Congress has officially nominated his grandson, banking on the family’s strong political legacy in the region.
Pailwan, however, is relying on strong community support from the minority and Ahinda (Alpasankhyataru, Hindulidavaru, Dalitaru) sections, which he claims form the backbone of Congress victories in the constituency.
Party sources indicated that efforts are underway to persuade Pailwan to withdraw, but the rebel leader appeared firm in his resolve, stating, “I have come out openly. There is no question of going back.”
The development has added an element of drama to what was expected to be a straight contest, turning the bypoll into a test of loyalty versus community aspirations in the politically sensitive Davangere region.
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