CD Web Desk
Mangaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president D K Shivakumar on Friday expressed confidence that the Congress would return to power in the state in the 2028 Assembly elections, asserting that Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts together would elect at least 10 Congress MLAs.
Speaking after laying the foundation stone for the Congress Bhavana at Puttur, Shivakumar said the party had already begun groundwork for the next electoral battle and urged workers not to be disheartened by political developments in other states.
“We know how to come back to power in the next election. The foundation has already been laid. I conducted a survey and clearly understood the emotions of the people of this region,” he said.
Dismissing speculation about internal rifts, Shivakumar said the Congress functioned as a single, united entity.
“There are no factions in the Congress. There is only one group—the Congress group. We believe in the high command. I am confident the DK–Udupi region will deliver at least 10 seats in 2028. We will once again create history in Karnataka,” he said, adding that the party remained committed to protecting the Constitution.
Shivakumar also announced that the Congress government will complete 1,000 days in office on February 13, with a major public programme scheduled to be held in Haveri on February 14 to mark the milestone.
As KPCC president, he said the party had initiated the construction of Congress Bhavanas across Karnataka, with due approval from the party high command. A larger programme involving AICC president Mallikarjuna Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi would be organised at a later stage, he added.
“Our aim is to construct 100 Congress offices across the state. Party-owned buildings will strengthen organisation by giving workers a permanent space to meet and deliberate,” Shivakumar said.
Referring to election preparedness, he cautioned party workers to remain vigilant as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voters’ list is set to begin soon. Booth-level agents must actively verify voter details, he said, noting that voter list mapping was already underway.
Countering opposition claims that the Congress government’s guarantee schemes had stalled development, Shivakumar said Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai had successfully secured grants for his constituency.
He also announced a ₹10 lakh grant for the Congress office in Puttur.
MLA Ashok Kumar Rai said the Congress Bhavana, to be built at a cost of ₹2.5 crore, would be completed within six to eight months. The building will have a plinth area of 13,000 square feet, with funds being mobilised from party workers contributing amounts ranging from ₹100 to ₹1 lakh.
Calling for unity and discipline, Rai urged party workers to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots level ahead of upcoming electoral challenges.
