Speaking at a press conference in Mangaluru, Poojary said his immediate priority would be to strengthen the party organisation from the district level right down to the last booth and bring leaders and workers together.
Congress must regain its past glory
Poojary said Dakshina Kannada and the coastal region had earlier been known for communal harmony when Congress was in power.
He said people had lived together without differences based on caste, religion or community and expressed his desire to restore what he described as the district’s past political and social harmony.
According to Poojary, Congress had also undertaken significant development works when it was in power in the region. He said the party should learn from its previous electoral setbacks and work towards rebuilding its support base.
His comments come as the Congress prepares to strengthen its organisation ahead of the next Assembly election.
Target set for all eight constituencies
Poojary said his goal was clear — to bring together Congress leaders and workers and work towards winning all eight Assembly constituencies in Dakshina Kannada in 2028.
He said he would personally visit booths across the district and interact with party workers at the grassroots level.
“There may be differences within the party for various reasons, but I will certainly work to bring everyone together,” he said.
The district Congress leadership is expected to focus on strengthening booth-level organisation, improving coordination among leaders and addressing differences within the party as part of the preparations.
Focus on strengthening the party organisation
Poojary said organisational strengthening would be his primary responsibility during his tenure as district Congress president.
He said the party would review the outcomes of previous elections and identify the reasons behind its defeats.
According to him, electoral setbacks should not discourage party workers. Instead, they should be used to identify organisational weaknesses and build a stronger campaign structure for future elections.
“I will continuously work to strengthen the party,” Poojary said.
Congress also eyes Mangaluru city corporation
Apart from the 2028 Assembly elections, Poojary said Congress would also work towards gaining control of the Mangaluru City Corporation.
He indicated that the party would use its organisational efforts at the grassroots level to strengthen its position in local politics as well.
The party’s strategy is expected to include greater engagement with local communities and increased coordination between elected representatives, senior leaders and grassroots workers.
Says Congress will reach out to all communities
Poojary also stressed that his political and organisational approach would not be restricted to any particular community.
While acknowledging his own community background, he said he wanted to win the support of people from all communities in Dakshina Kannada.
He said his objective was to rebuild Congress as a broad-based political organisation in the district rather than limit its outreach to a particular social group.
The emphasis on inclusiveness comes as Congress seeks to expand its support base in a district where electoral contests have traditionally been closely linked to community, regional and organisational factors.
Rebuilding Congress in Dakshina Kannada
Poojary’s appointment comes with the challenge of rebuilding the Congress organisation in Dakshina Kannada and preparing the party for future elections.
His immediate emphasis appears to be on resolving internal differences, strengthening booth-level networks and increasing contact with party workers.
With the 2028 Assembly elections still ahead, the new district president has set a clear electoral benchmark for the party — winning all eight seats in Dakshina Kannada.
Whether Congress can translate the organisational plans into electoral gains will depend on its ability to maintain unity, build a wider support base and effectively address local issues in the coming years.