Shiggaon Bypoll: Yasir Pathan, Congress’s Last-Minute Choice, Set to Challenge Ex-CM Bommai’s Son
In a surprising twist of political fate, Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan, the Congress party’s last-minute candidate, is gearing up to contest the Shiggaon bypoll against Bharat Bommai, the son of former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. Pathan’s candidacy comes just a year after he was thrust into the spotlight during the 2023 Karnataka Assembly polls, where he replaced another candidate at the eleventh hour.
Pathan, who currently serves as the president of Anjuman-e-Islam Hubballi-Dharwad and has experience as a Zilla Parishad member from Hangal, is no stranger to the political arena. His initial nomination in 2023 was a last-minute decision as well, when he took over from Mohammed Yousuf Savanur, who was deemed an outsider by local Congress workers. This time around, Pathan’s name was again the last to be announced for the Shiggaon bypolls, but this time, he’s determined to make his mark.
The Shiggaon Assembly seat, which recently became vacant after Senior Bommai’s victory in the Lok Sabha elections, is a significant battleground. With a voter base of over 80,000, the demographics are crucial, featuring a mix of Lingayats and Muslims. Notably, around 45,000 voters belong to the Panchamasali sect of the Lingayats, while there are approximately 50,000 minority voters. This unique blend of communities has historically favored the Bommai family, but political analysts are questioning whether this advantage will carry over to Bharat in his first electoral contest.
In the lead-up to the bypolls, the Congress party had a shortlist of six potential candidates, including two Muslims and four Lingayats. Ultimately, Pathan emerged as the chosen one, a decision influenced by his grassroots connections and ongoing engagement with the constituency. A senior Congress leader emphasized that Pathan’s continued presence in the area after his previous electoral loss demonstrated his commitment to the community, making him a popular choice among local Congress workers and the youth.
Pathan’s previous campaign against Senior Bommai highlighted an undercurrent of anti-incumbency sentiment, which he hopes to leverage in the upcoming bypoll. Despite losing to Bommai by a significant margin of 35,978 votes last year, Pathan’s groundwork and established rapport with the electorate could prove advantageous against the political novice, Bharat Bommai.
As the campaign heats up, the clash between Pathan and Bharat is set to reflect the demographic dynamics of Shiggaon. With Pathan representing the Muslim community and Bharat embodying the Lingayat vote, this contest is not just about party loyalty but also about community representation.
With the stakes high and the political landscape shifting, all eyes will be on Shiggaon as voters prepare to make their voices heard in this pivotal bypoll. Will Yasir Pathan’s grassroots efforts pay off, or will Bharat Bommai’s legacy carry him to victory? Only time will tell as the election draws near.
