Karnataka Congress electoral mobilization efforts

The Congress party in Karnataka is implementing organizational and outreach strategies in preparation for the 2028 Assembly elections.

Initially, the party focused on grassroots mobilization through the Youth Empowerment and Sports Department. This initiative involves transforming the Bharat Jodo youth network into 10,000 ‘Bharat Jodo Yuva Sanghas’ targeting individuals aged 16 to 35. To support this, the Karnataka Cabinet approved Rs 781 crore from a supplementary budget, with a total planned outlay of Rs 1,000 crore to provide annual grants to approved groups.

Following these organizational efforts, the party launched the ‘Bharat Jodo 2.0’ padyatra. The march commenced at Kittadahalli village in the Shikaripura taluk of Shivamogga district. Led by KPCC President B. K. Hariprasad, the 84-day campaign is designed to span 29 districts and 84 Assembly constituencies where the party lost seats in the 2023 elections, focusing on local issues such as drought and farmers' concerns.

The launch has triggered political friction. As the march passed through the constituency of Karnataka BJP President and MLA B. Y. Vijayendra, Hariprasad accused Vijayendra of removing Congress flags and posters. Vijayendra responded by claiming the march was “merely an imitation of the BJP’s ‘Ballari Chalo’ movement” and dismissed Hariprasad’s political experience and allegations of financial misconduct.