Shivamogga: KPCC will launch a state-level campaign titled Bharat Jodo 2 from Shikaripura on Sept 30 to rebuild its organisational structure across 82 assembly constituencies where the party suffered defeat in the previous elections, while actively opposing alleged voter fraud in the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) process, according to KPCC working president and MLC Manjunath Bhandari.Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Bhandari announced that the padayatra aims to re-engage citizens like it did during Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s 2022 Kanyakumari-to-Kashmir Yatra. He emphasised that the initiative will focus on strengthening communal harmony, tackling youth unemployment, protecting constitutional principles, and connecting directly with farmers, workers, and marginalised communities.While the state-level drive targets 82 defeated seats, local MLAs and Block Congress presidents in winning constituencies have also been directed to carry out similar outreach drives.The choice of Shikaripura as the launchpad holds significant political weight, as it is the home constituency of BJP state president BY Vijayendra. As part of the campaign, party workers will go door-to-door at the booth level to generate awareness about Karnataka govt’s five guarantee schemes. Due to a meeting scheduled in New Delhi, chief minister DK Shivakumar and top state leaders will not be present at the launch, he said.A central agenda of Bharat Jodo 2 involves protesting alleged malpractices within the ongoing SIR. Bhandari accused BJP of systematically purging the names of minority, economically disadvantaged, and Congress-leaning voters from the electoral lists, alleging that those who once engaged in poaching MLAs have now resorted to stealing votes. Condemning the move as a direct threat to democracy, he demanded the immediate resignation of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.MLC Balkis Banu and former MLC R Prasanna Kumar were present.
