Karnataka Congress to form 10,000 youth groups for 2028 elections

The Congress party is working to transform its Bharat Jodo youth network into a grassroots organizational force in preparation for the 2028 Assembly elections in Karnataka. Under the Youth Empowerment and Sports Department, the government plans to establish 10,000 Bharat Jodo Yuva Sanghas across the state.

Targeting individuals aged 16 to 35, the initiative aims to connect with young and first-time voters through activities focused on sports, leadership development, cultural engagement, and community service. Approximately 7.5 lakh youngsters are already enrolled, with plans to expand the network to 10 lakh members in the coming months.

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar noted the political significance of the initiative, linking its potential success to the momentum generated by Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra. To support these groups, the government has announced an annual grant of Rs 10 lakh for each approved Sangha, with a total planned outlay of Rs 1,000 crore. The Karnataka Cabinet recently approved Rs 781 crore from the supplementary budget to fund the program.