Bengaluru/Davanagere, 27 March

Congress rebel candidate Sadiq Pailwan on Friday withdrew from the Davanagere South Assembly bypoll, backing the party’s official nominee Samarth Mallikarjun in a move aimed at preventing a split in votes.

Pailwan announced his decision at the KPCC office in the presence of AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, KPCC President and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. MLA Rizwan Arshad and Chief Whip Salim Ahmed were also present.

“I was a candidate for the Muslim community, but responding to the request of the Chief Minister and KPCC president, I have decided to withdraw,” Pailwan said, urging voters to support Samarth Mallikarjun by a huge margin. He described late leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa as his political mentor.

The 9 April bypoll, necessitated by Shivashankarappa’s death, will see Samarth Mallikarjun, his grandson, contest against the BJP’s Srinivas T Dasakariyappa.

The withdrawal comes a day after attempts by Congress leaders to persuade Pailwan failed, with his supporters raising “go back” slogans during a meeting outside his residence. Leaders had cited a lack of time as the reason for his inability to withdraw earlier.

Meanwhile, Shivakumar dismissed reports of internal dissent, asserting there would be no division of minority or other votes. “All are our people… differences during elections are natural, but we will set things right,” he said.