Karnataka parties turn padayatras into early contest for 2028 elections

Karnataka’s major political parties are intensifying their use of padayatras and public demonstrations, turning street mobilisation into an early contest ahead of the 2028 Assembly election. The Congress plans to launch its Bharat Jodo 2.0 programme on September 30, more than 18 months before the Assembly poll and while the state is facing severe drought. The BJP and JD(S) are also organising rallies, marches and public meetings to maintain pressure on the ruling party.

The campaigns are intended not only to reach voters but also to demonstrate organisational strength, consolidate support bases and influence political narratives ahead of rural local-body elections expected at the end of the year. Earlier opposition actions had political consequences, according to the source material. The BJP’s Ballari Chalo agitation was followed by the resignation of B.

Nagendra from the Cabinet. A BJP-JD(S) march to Mysuru, focused on alleged irregularities involving the Mysuru Urban Development Authority, was followed by the surrender of sites by Parvathi, the wife of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. For the Congress, Bharat Jodo 2.0 is intended to defend its record in government and expand its presence in 84 constituencies it lost in the 2023 Assembly election.

The march will also allow the party to assess public views on guarantee schemes and other promises. KPCC chief B.K. Hariprasad is leading a 10-kilometre march in each of the 84 constituencies.

It will begin in Shikaripura, the constituency of BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra and the home turf of former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa.

The Congress plans to raise issues including electoral-roll revision, unemployment and what it calls inadequate central support for drought relief. BJP and JD(S) leaders have questioned the timing of a state-wide ruling-party march during a drought and continue to target the Congress government over governance, corruption allegations and finances.