Karnataka Congress Launches Bharat Jodo 2.0 with Focus on 2028 Polls

The Karnataka Congress on Wednesday launched a 10-day “Bharat Jodo Yatra 2.0”, combining the commemoration of Rahul Gandhi’s 2022 Bharat Jodo Yatra with a wider grassroots campaign ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections. The initiative will focus on the 84 constituencies where Congress lost in the 2023 polls, with the party describing it as part of its “Mission 2028.”

The campaign began in Shikaripura, the Assembly constituency represented by Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra and previously held by his father, former chief minister B S Yediyurappa. The choice of the BJP stronghold gives the campaign an additional political dimension, with Congress seeking to strengthen its organisation and voter outreach in constituencies where it was defeated.

Congress plans to conduct 10-km padayatras in the targeted constituencies. The exercise is intended to reconnect party workers with voters, strengthen booth-level organisation and identify local concerns well before the next Assembly election. Similar outreach has also been planned in constituencies where Congress won, with local leaders being asked to engage directly with people.

The party will also use the campaign to highlight the Karnataka government's five guarantee schemes, while reaching out to farmers, workers, youth and marginalised communities. Congress leaders have said issues including youth unemployment, communal harmony, farmers' concerns and constitutional principles will form part of the public outreach.

The campaign was launched from Esuru village, which Congress linked to the Quit India Movement of 1942. State Congress president B K Hariprasad said the party was using the historical significance of the village to launch its “Janata Jodo” and “Janata Jagruti” outreach.