Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Mar 3: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president D K Shivakumar has set an ambitious target for the Congress party in the coastal districts, challenging leaders to secure at least 8-9 seats in the upcoming elections. He warned that failure to meet this target could result in changes to the party's leadership in the region.
During his recent visit to the Udupi district Congress office, Shivakumar addressed party leaders and workers, emphasizing the need for strategic changes. He highlighted the Congress's underperformance in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada in previous elections, contrasting it with the party’s success in Chikkamagaluru, Uttara Kannada, and Kodagu districts.
Shivakumar urged local leaders to analyse whether electoral defeats were due to weak candidates or ineffective communication of the party's ideology and policies. Citing a recent survey, he mentioned that the Congress has the potential to win in 60 constituencies where it previously lost and that efforts are underway to identify new candidates where necessary.
"In Udupi and Mangaluru, there is an opportunity to win at least 8-9 seats. Last time, we were confident of winning at least four, but circumstances led to defeat. Moving forward, candidates and aspirants must focus on party principles rather than personal ambitions," he stated.
He also advised leaders to avoid caste-based politics and to work towards building trust among all communities. Sharing his own experience, Shivakumar mentioned that nearly 99-100% of the Brahmin community in his constituency supports him, demonstrating the importance of gaining trust across communities.
Reflecting on past election strategies, Shivakumar recounted how he took immediate action following his brother’s defeat in the parliamentary elections by starting groundwork in the Channapatna by-election. He emphasized similar successful strategies used in Shiggaon and Sandur, where Congress candidates defeated strong opponents.
He called on party members to actively promote the achievements of the Congress government and to remind people of the promises made before the elections and the schemes implemented afterward. "The BJP has not introduced any major schemes to uplift people’s lives, whereas our government has fulfilled its commitments despite challenges," he remarked.
Shivakumar also announced plans to build party offices in 100 locations where they currently do not exist. He encouraged former MPs, MLAs, ministers, and council members to contribute to the construction efforts. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi are expected to visit Bengaluru to inaugurate these projects, which will also have a virtual launch at multiple locations.
He urged party workers to contribute financially and shared that he had previously donated Rs 5 lac for the construction of the Udupi District Congress office. Financial support from the KPCC would be provided where necessary.
Addressing preparations for upcoming panchayat elections, Shivakumar stressed the importance of party unity. "Defeated candidates and party workers must work together without forming internal factions. In Congress, those who engage in groupism have lost their influence over time," he cautioned.
He concluded by reaffirming the party’s commitment to strengthening its presence in Udupi and Mangaluru districts. He stated that the leadership would closely monitor developments over the next three to six months and, if needed, introduce new candidates to ensure electoral success in the region.