Now Reading: Congress launches Bharat Jodo 2.0 march from Shikaripura
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Congress launches Bharat Jodo 2.0 march from Shikaripura
The Story in Brief
Karnataka Congress launched its 84-day 'Bharat Jodo 2.0' foot march on Wednesday, 30 September, from Shikaripura in Shivamogga district, the constituency of BJP state president B Y Vijayendra. The march covers all 84 assembly seats the party lost in the 2023 elections, spanning 29 districts.
KPCC president B K Hariprasad and ministers criticised the BJP, Yediyurappa and Vijayendra at the launch rally, and alleged the Election Commission deleted 13.3 crore names nationally, including over 1 crore in Karnataka, The Hindu reports. Hindustan Times and Deccan Herald report Hariprasad called CEC Gyanesh Kumar 'Agyanesh Kumar' and said the march highlights BJP programme shortcomings.
The opening leg from Kittadahalli covered about 10 km, Siasat reports. The next phase of the campaign is planned from 4 or 5 October. The concluding rally venue is yet to be announced.
Update, 1 October 2026: The march launched on 30 September as planned, with a public meeting at Shikaripur. Hindustan Times and The Hindu report that leaders criticised the BJP and alleged the Election Commission deleted 13.3 crore names nationally, including over 1 crore in Karnataka. Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah made the allegation, The Hindu adds. The march continues from 4 October across all lost constituencies.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Coverage is uniform in reporting the march's launch and political target. The Hindu alone includes the specific allegation that 13.3 crore names were deleted nationally, while other outlets either omit the figure or report it only in general terms. Deccan Herald and Hindustan Times lead with the choice of Vijayendra's seat as the starting point, framing the march primarily as a political challenge to the BJP. Siasat and New Indian Express focus on the organisational and outreach aspects of the campaign. The differing emphasis shows The Hindu providing the most detailed criticism of the Election Commission, while other outlets keep the focus on the Congress party's political messaging. The march continues from 4 October.
Coverage: 6 sources, 1 government-critical, 5 neutral
Sources (6): deccanherald.com (neutral report), timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report), newindianexpress.com (neutral report), hindustantimes.com (neutral report), thehindu.com (government critical), siasat.com (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 6 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
