MANGALURU: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar asserted on Sunday that based on internal assessments, the Congress party is poised to reclaim power in 2028, targeting 10 seats across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.
Addressing the media in Belthangady, he reflected on the party’s performance and strategy in the coastal belt. “In the last election, we secured just two seats in Dakshina Kannada. But the tide is turning. The state now has a robust Congress-led government working for every household,” he said. “People may have voted for BJP, but it is Congress that’s delivering on promises.”
When asked about Congress allegedly embracing soft Hindutva, Shivakumar responded, “Who decided Dakshina Kannada is solely a Hindutva base? This land belongs to every faith—be it Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jain, or others. The waters, temples, dargahs, and nature here are not bound by religion or caste.”
At a public rally later, he urged the crowd to uphold Gandhian ideals and constitutional values, emphasizing that the Congress believes in inclusive growth and communal harmony.
He highlighted that despite BJP’s skepticism, welfare initiatives like the Gruha Lakshmi scheme are proving successful. “Even BJP-voting women are now expressing gratitude to Congress. BJP may attempt to derail our guarantees, but they won’t succeed. Let the lotus stay in the pond—the helping hand deserves leadership.”
He concluded by rallying party workers for upcoming local body polls and hinted that job creation plans for the coastal zone are in motion.
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