The Congress in Karnataka launched a series of marches titled Bharat Jodo 2.0 in Shikaripur on Wednesday. The constituency was long represented by former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and is now represented by BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra.

Hundreds of Congress workers took part in the march, which began at Kittadahalli, about 10 km from Shikaripur town. The march began around 11 a.m., after the national song, “Vande Mataram”, and the national anthem were rendered, in the presence of KPCC president B.K. Hariprasad, Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah, N. Basavanthappa, and other party leaders.

Addressing the gathering at Kittadahalli, Mr. Hariprasad said that four years ago on this day, the Bharat Jodo Yatra, led by AICC leader Rahul Gandhi, had entered Gundlupete. In memory of the historic yatra, which covered the distance from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, the Congress in Karnataka had launched Bharat Jodo 2.0. “The yatra is to spread awareness about the discrepancies in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls by the Election Commission, through which 1.5 crore voters are being kept out of the electoral roll,” he said.

Party workers and leaders walked along the route connecting Kittadahalli to Shikaripur via Mattikote Cross, Hosanagara, and Nelagavagilu. Many wore caps to protect themselves from the scorching sun, and the organisers had arranged drinking water along the route. The march disrupted the movement of public transport and private vehicles, and many buses were seen taking alternative routes as the road was occupied by party workers.

Earlier in the day, on the way to Kittadahalli, Mr. Hariprasad and other Congress leaders visited Esur, a village known for its significant role in the freedom struggle, and paid tributes to freedom fighters at the memorial there.

Shivamogga District Congress Committee president H.C. Yogesh and other office-bearers were present.