Congress leaders expressed confidence about retaining power in 2028 while highlighting the first 100 days of DK Shivakumar’s government.

The Karnataka Congress has expressed confidence that it will retain power in the 2028 Assembly elections as Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s government completed 100 days in office.

Home Minister Priyank Kharge described the milestone as “just the beginning” of the government’s broader agenda involving policy reforms, economic expansion and employment creation.

Kharge said Shivakumar was building on the work carried out by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and had introduced fresh energy into the administration. He maintained that the government’s programme would extend beyond the remaining period of its current term and shape the party’s campaign for the next election.

Congress ministers used the 100-day milestone to highlight the administration’s performance and announce its future priorities. The government avoided a large public celebration because of the drought conditions affecting Karnataka.

Kharge said the government was not working with only a two-year roadmap. Instead, he described its plans as part of a seven-year vision connecting present governance with the 2028 Assembly election and the period beyond it. He predicted that voters would support the Congress again, arguing that the government’s planned acceleration in policy, economic activity and employment would strengthen its public standing.

The Home Minister also credited Siddaramaiah’s previous administration with creating a foundation on which Shivakumar was now building. His statement projected continuity between the two Congress governments while presenting the leadership transition as an opportunity for faster execution.

Shivakumar assumed the Chief Minister’s office on June 3 after several rounds of deliberations within the Congress over a leadership change. The completion of his first 100 days has therefore become an important political moment for the party to demonstrate unity and administrative momentum.

Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said the government was using the occasion to inform Karnataka’s people about its performance, future plans and development goals. He clarified that the administration was not organising an elaborate celebration. The programme was restricted to Vidhana Soudha and its banquet hall in Bengaluru due to the drought situation in the state.

According to Parameshwara, the government wanted the 100-day event to serve as an exercise in public accountability. Ministers were expected to explain what had been achieved since Shivakumar took charge and how the administration planned to meet its longer-term objectives.

Party leaders and ministers welcomed Shivakumar at Vidhana Soudha on Thursday. The Chief Minister greeted those present and congratulated members of his government on completing the milestone. Earlier, Shivakumar reiterated his commitment to serving Karnataka and Kannadigas, saying it would remain his resolve for as long as he lived.

Several ministers used the occasion to showcase initiatives introduced or advanced by the government. Minister Ajay Singh highlighted the Raita Chaitanya programme for farmers and the provision of free bus passes for students.

Minister Sharan Prakash Patil referred to the Yuva Udyami Setu programme, efforts to connect government hospitals with medical colleges and plans to improve employment prospects through Industrial Training Institutes. Patil also highlighted the Bharat Jodo Yuva Sangha as part of the government’s youth-oriented agenda.

Minister Ramalinga Reddy said the Congress would fulfil the assurances contained in its 2023 election manifesto by 2028. He expressed confidence that delivering those commitments would help the party return to office. The government’s message focused on combining welfare programmes with employment, education, healthcare and investment measures. Congress leaders indicated that these areas would remain central to their governance narrative ahead of the next election.

In a letter addressed to the people, Shivakumar listed several decisions and targets under his “Drudha Karnataka” vision, which is centred on economic strength, social empowerment and technological advancement. The Chief Minister highlighted the 7.5 per cent reservation for government-school students in professional courses and the introduction of free bus passes for students.

He also said the government had cleared investments worth Rs 29,679 crore, which were expected to generate approximately 66,000 jobs. Recruitment for 72,000 government posts was another major commitment listed in the letter. These announcements were presented as evidence of the administration’s focus on expanding opportunities and strengthening public services. The government is expected to use the coming months to demonstrate progress on these targets and convert approved investments into employment.

The Congress leadership’s early focus on the 2028 election suggests that the party wants to connect governance performance with a longer political strategy. Its ability to implement welfare promises, manage the drought and deliver jobs will play a significant role in shaping that campaign.

For now, Congress leaders are portraying the first 100 days as the beginning of an accelerated phase of governance, with Shivakumar’s Drudha Karnataka vision serving as the foundation for their bid to retain power.