He was elected to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of incumbent member A.
[5] Prior to that, he unsuccessfully contested the West Teachers’ Constituency Legislative Council Polls in 1980 against Basavaraj Horatti, who was a six-time member.
[6] Mallappa was defeated by Pampathi of the Communist Party of India in Davanagere during the 1978 elections.
[7][8] He was elected to the 7th Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Harihar.
[10] Mallappa unsuccessfully contested the 13th Lok Sabha elections from Davangere against Gowdara Mallikarjunappa in the 1999 Indian general elections.