Karnataka bypolls: Door-to-door campaign muted by pandemic

One candidate has tested positive for COVID-19, while news of CM contracting virus has dampened spirits

Even as the district administrations were busy making preparations for polling for the byelections to Belagavi Lok Sabha and Maski and Basavakalyan Assembly segments, to be held on Saturday, the candidates and their followers were busy conducting door-to-door campaign on Friday, though the pandemic certainly cast a shadow on the activities. At Belagavi, the news of Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa contracting COVID-19 dampened the spirits of the BJP camp. Most of the BJP leaders, including party candidate Mangala Angadi and her close associates, did not venture out for door-to-door visits as most of them had taken part in various meetings and programmes with Mr. Yediyurappa. Ms. Mangala chose to remain at home for most of the day.