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Mallikarjun Kharge

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Mapanna Mallikarjun Kharge (Kannada: [malːikaːrd͡ʒun kʰɐrɡe]; born 21 July 1942) is an Indian lawyer and politician serving as the President of the Indian National Congress since 2022,[1] and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha since 2021. He has been a Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha from Karnataka since 2020.

Mallikarjun Kharge
Kharge as the Union Minister for Railways in February 2014
1st Chairman of the
Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance
Incumbent
Assumed office
13 January 2024
Preceded byPosition established
National President of the Indian National Congress
Incumbent
Assumed office
26 October 2022 (2022-10-26)
Preceded bySonia Gandhi (interim)
14th Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha
Incumbent
Assumed office
16 February 2021
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi
Vice President
Deputy
Preceded byGhulam Nabi Azad
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
Incumbent
Assumed office
12 June 2020
Preceded byRajeev Gowda
ConstituencyKarnataka
Personal details
Born
Mapanna Mallikarjun Kharge

(1942-07-21) 21 July 1942 (age 82)
Warwatti, Bidar District, Hyderabad State, British India
Political partyIndian National Congress
Spouse
Radhabai Kharge
​
(m. 1968)​
Children5, including Priyank Kharge
Residence10, Rajaji Marg, New Delhi
Alma mater
Occupation
Websiteindia.gov.in/mallikarjun-kharge
Prior political offices
Leader of the Indian National Congress in Lok Sabha
In office
4 June 2014 – 23 May 2019
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi
Preceded bySushilkumar Shinde
Succeeded byAdhir Ranjan Chowdhury
Union Minister of Railways
In office
17 June 2013 – 26 May 2014
Prime MinisterManmohan Singh
Preceded byC. P. Joshi
Succeeded byD. V. Sadananda Gowda
Union Minister of Labour and Employment
In office
29 May 2009 – 16 June 2013
Prime MinisterManmohan Singh
Preceded byOscar Fernandes
Succeeded bySis Ram Ola
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
31 May 2009 – 23 May 2019
Preceded byIqbal Ahmed Saradgi
Succeeded byUmesh. G. Jadhav
ConstituencyGulbarga, Karnataka
24th President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee
In office
2005–2008
AICC PresidentSonia Gandhi
Preceded byJanardhana Poojary
Succeeded byR. V. Deshpande
Minister of Home Affairs, Government of Karnataka
In office
1999–2004
Governor
Chief MinisterS. M. Krishna
15th Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Assembly
In office
5 June 2008 – 26 May 2009
GovernorRameshwar Thakur
Chief MinisterB. S. Yediyurappa
Preceded byN. Dharam Singh
Succeeded bySiddaramaiah
In office
19 December 1996 – 7 July 1999
GovernorKhurshed Alam Khan
Chief MinisterJayadevappa Halappa Patel
Preceded byB. S. Yediyurappa
Succeeded byJagadish Shettar
Minister for Cooperation & Marketing, Government of Karnataka
In office
1992–1994
GovernorKhurshed Alam Khan
Chief MinisterVeerappa Moily
Minister of Revenue & Stamps, Government of Karnataka
In office
1990–1992
Governor
Chief MinisterBangarappa
In office
1980–1983
GovernorGovind Narain
Chief MinisterR. Gundu Rao
Member of Karnataka Legislative Assembly
In office
2008–2009
Preceded byVishwanath Patil Hebbal
Succeeded byValmiki Naik
ConstituencyChittapur
In office
1972–2008
Preceded byN. Yenkappa
Succeeded byBaburao Chinchansur
ConstituencyGurmitkal

He began his career in state politics, serving as a member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Gurmitkal Assembly constituency from 1972 to 2008 and from Chittapur Assembly constituency from 2008 to 2009. Kharge served as the leader of the opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from 1996 to 1999, president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee from 2005 to 2008, and as a minister in many portfolios under various chief ministers.

Kharge joined national politics when he was elected as the Member of Parliament for Gulbarga, Karnataka, serving from 2009 to 2019. During the UPA 2 government, he served as the Minister of Railways from 2013 to 2014 and Minister of Labour and Employment from 2009 to 2013 in the Union Cabinet. He was also a general secretary of the All India Congress Committee, incharge for Maharashtra, from 2018 to 2020. He was also the chairperson of Public Accounts Committee in 16th Lok Sabha from 2016 to 2019. After being elected a member of the Rajya Sabha for Karnataka in 2020 following his defeat in the 2019 Indian general election, he defeated Shashi Tharoor in the 2022 Indian National Congress presidential election to succeed Sonia Gandhi. Under his presidency, the Congress gained 99 seats in the 2024 Indian general election, forming the official opposition for the first time since 2014.[2][3] He is a close ally of the Gandhi family.[4]

Early life and background

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Mallikarjun Kharge was born in the Varawatti, Bhalki Taluk, Bidar district, Karnataka in a Dalit family to Saibavva and Mapanna Kharge.

In 1948, Kharge lost his mother and sister in a fire set off by the Razakars of the Nizam of Hyderabad, while he himself had a narrow escape at the age of 7.[5][6] He finished his schooling from Nutan Vidyalaya in Gulbarga and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Government College, Gulbarga and his law degree from the Seth Shankarlal Lahoti Law College in Gulbarga.[7] He started his legal practice as a junior in Justice Shivaraj Patil's office and fought cases for labour unions early in his legal career.[8]

Political career

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Kharge began his political career in state politics, being elected as the MLA for Gurmitkal Assembly constituency and Chittapur Assembly constituency consecutively from 1972 to 2008. During his tenure in state politics, he served as a minister in the ministries of S. M. Krishna, Veerappa Moily, Sarekoppa Bangarappa, and R. Gundu Rao, in many prominent portfolios including the Home and Revenue ministries. In opposition, Kharge served as the leader of the opposition on two occasions and led the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee into the 2008 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election as KPCC president, gaining 15 seats for the party and finishing second. He resigned from the legislature in 2009 to run for the Lok Sabha.

Kharge was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 2009 the general election from Gulbarga. This was his tenth consecutive election victory.[9]

In the 2014 general elections, Kharge was elected from Gulbarga, beating Revunaik Belamagih from the BJP with a margin of 13,404 votes.[10][11] In June, he was appointed the Leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha.[12]

In the 2019 general elections, Kharge contested from the same parliamentary seat, however this time he lost to Umesh G. Jadhav from the BJP with a margin of 95,452 votes.[11]

On 12 June 2020 Kharge was elected (unopposed) to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka, at the age of 78 years.[13] On 12 February 2021, Kharge was appointed Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha.[14]

Kharge notably has been appointed as an observer by the INC for multiple states in the past, including Assam in 2014, Punjab in 2021, and Rajasthan in 2022.[15] He has been criticized for his alleged inability to resolve internal party issues in these three states and therefore causing the loss in Assam and Punjab, and public embarrassment in Rajasthan.[15]

He is known for his record of defeating all his opposition candidates in his lifetime career except one.[16] In 2023, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Lokmat's Parliamentary Awards.[17]

President of the Indian National Congress

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Election

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On 1 October 2022, he filed nominations to contest the INC party presidential polls and won with 7897 votes.[18] He was the first INC President not from the Gandhi family in 24 years.[19] In the first 2 years of his presidency, the Congress formed governments in Himachal Pradesh in 2022, Telangana in 2023, and forming a coalition in Jammu & Kashmir in 2024, while losing power in Chattisgarh and Rajasthan in 2023.

2024 general election

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Kharge's name was proposed as the prime ministerial candidate of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance for the 2024 general election. The proposal was made by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and was supported by Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.[20] However, other senior leaders of the alliance such a Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Yadav disapproved the proposal.[21]

Electoral performances

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Year Election Party Constituency Name Result Votes gained Vote share% Margin Ref
1972 Mysore Legislative Assembly INC  Gurmitkal Won 16,796 62.68%% 9,440 [22]
1978 Karnataka Legislative Assembly Won 30,380 64.99% 16,599 [23]
1983 Karnataka Legislative Assembly Won 30,933 67.65% 16,143 [24]
1985 Karnataka Legislative Assembly Won 32,669 66% 17,673 [25]
1989 Karnataka Legislative Assembly Won 39,608 64.23% 19,969 [26]
1994 Karnataka Legislative Assembly Won 42,588 58.76% 19,336 [27]
1999 Karnataka Legislative Assembly Won 54,569 76.76% 47,124 [28]
2004 Karnataka Legislative Assembly Won 37,006 45.99% 18,547 [29]
2008 Karnataka Legislative Assembly Won 49,837 52.13% 17,442 [30]
2009 15th Lok Sabha Gulbarga Won 3,45,241 45.46% 13,404 [31]
2014 16th Lok Sabha Won 5,07,193 50.83% 74,733 [32]
2019 17th Lok Sabha Lost 5,24,740 44.08% 95,452 [33]

Positions held

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Year Description
1972–1978 Elected to 5th Mysore Assembly (1st Term)
  • Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education (1976-1978)
1978–1983 Elected to 6th Karnataka Assembly (2nd Term)
  • Cabinet Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (1979-1980)
  • Cabinet Minister for Revenue (1980-83)
1983–1985 Elected to 7th Karnataka Assembly (3rd Term)
  • Secretary, Congress Legislature Party
1985–1989 Elected to 8th Karnataka Assembly (4th Term)
  • Deputy Leader of Opposition
1989–1994 Elected to 9th Karnataka Assembly (5th Term)
  • Cabinet Minister for Revenue, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (1990-1992)
  • Cabinet Minister for Co-operation, Medium and Large Industries (1992-1994)
1994–1999 Elected to 10th Karnataka Assembly (6th Term)
  • Leader of Opposition (1996-99)
1999–2004 Elected to 11th Karnataka Assembly (7th Term)
  • Cabinet Minister for Home, Infrastructure Development and Minor Irrigation (1999-2004)
2004–2008 Elected to 12th Karnataka Assembly (8th Term)
  • Cabinet Minister for Water Resources and Transport (2004-2006)
2008–2009 Elected to 13th Karnataka Assembly (9th Term)
  • Leader of Opposition (2008-2009)
2009–2014 Elected to 15th Lok Sabha (1st Term)
  • Union Minister for Labour and Employment (31 May 2009–17 June 2013)
  • Union Minister for Railways and Social Justice and Empowerment (17 June 2013-26 May 2014)
2014–2019 Elected to 16th Lok Sabha (2nd Term)
  • Leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party
  • Member, Business Advisory Committee (2014–2019)
  • Member, Standing Committee on Home Affairs (2014–2019)
  • Member, Joint Parliamentary Committee on Maintenance of Heritage Character and Development of Parliament House Complex (2014–2019)
  • Member of National Committee (NC) for commemorating the 125th Birth Anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (2014–2019)
  • Member, General Purposes Committee (2015–2019)
  • Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Defence (2015–2019)
  • Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee (2017–2019)
  • Member, Committee on Budget of Lok Sabha (2017–2019)
2020–Present Elected to Rajya Sabha (1st Term)

Personal life

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Kharge married Radhabai on 13 May 1968; they have 2 daughters and 3 sons.[7][34] Kharge is a polyglot and can speak English, Hindi, Urdu, Kannada, Telugu and Marathi.[35] His son Priyank Kharge is an MLA from the Chittapur assembly constituency,[5] and his son-in-law Radhakrishna is an MP from Gulbarga Lok Sabha constituency, Kharge's former seat in the Lok Sabha.

Kharge is a practicing Buddhist.[36][37][38][39][40] He is the Founder-Chairman of Siddharth Vihar Trust that has built the Buddha Vihar in Gulbarga, India.[41] He is also a patron of the Chowdiah Memorial Hall, a concert and theater venue in Bangalore. He helped the centre get over its debts and aided the centre's plans for renovation.[42]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Kharge, who started as labour leader, becomes new Congress chief by beating Tharoor who speaks fine English". India Today. 19 October 2022. Archived from the original on 28 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  2. ^ Aggarwai, Mithil; Frayer, Janis Mackey (4 June 2024). "India hands PM Modi a surprise setback, with his majority in doubt in the world's largest election". NBC News. Archived from the original on 4 June 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  3. ^ Poharel, Krishna; Lahiri, Tripti (3 June 2024). "India's Narendra Modi Struggles to Hold On to Majority, Early Election Results Show". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 4 June 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  4. ^ https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-63252922
  5. ^ a b "Escaping Blaze at 7 to Congress Chief at 80 Mallikarjun Kharges Firefighting Continues Son Recounts Journey for News18". 19 October 2022. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  6. ^ "Mallikarjun Kharge officially takes charge as 1st non-Gandhi Congress president after 24 years". 26 October 2022. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Detailed Profile". Government of India. Archived from the original on 17 July 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  8. ^ "Early life of Kharge". Press Journal Kharge. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  9. ^ Phukan, Sandip (3 June 2014). "Mallikarjun Kharge consecutive win". NDTV. Archived from the original on 4 June 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  10. ^ "Know about the New Congress President - Mallikarjun Kharge". Indian National Congress. 29 October 2022. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Gulbarga SC Election Results". www.elections.in. Archived from the original on 30 October 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  12. ^ "Sonia picks Mallikarjun Kharge over 'unwilling' Rahul as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha". The Indian Express. 3 June 2014. Archived from the original on 12 February 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  13. ^ Joshi, Bharath (12 June 2020). "H D Deve Gowda, Mallikarjun Kharge elected unanimously to Rajya Sabha from Karnataka". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  14. ^ "Kharge to be Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha". The Hindu. 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 12 February 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  15. ^ a b "How two states slipped out of the Congress under Mallikarjun Kharge's 'observation', while a third one is on the line". India Today. 4 October 2022. Archived from the original on 27 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  16. ^ "Mallikarjun Kharge suffers first electoral defeat in his career". The Economic Times. 23 May 2019. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  17. ^ "Lokmat Parliamentary Award". Lokmat. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2024. {{cite news}}: Check |archive-url= value (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ^ "Highlights: Newly-elected Cong president Kharge to take charge on Oct 26". Hindustan Times. 19 October 2022. Archived from the original on 27 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  19. ^ "Mallikarjun Kharge officially takes charge as 1st non-Gandhi Congress president". mint. 26 October 2022. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  20. ^ Menon, Aditya (19 December 2023). "INDIA Bloc Meeting: Why Mallikarjun Kharge is Right Choice as PM Face But..." TheQuint. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  21. ^ "INDIA bloc meets and sulking members in aftermath: A consistent saga in 4 parts". India Today. 19 December 2023. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  22. ^ "Mysore Legislative Assembly Election, 1972". eci.gov.in. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  23. ^ "Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1978". eci.gov.in. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  24. ^ "Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1983". eci.gov.in. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  25. ^ "Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1985". eci.gov.in. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  26. ^ "Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1989". eci.gov.in. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  27. ^ "Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1994". eci.gov.in. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  28. ^ "Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1999". eci.gov.in. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  29. ^ "Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 2004". eci.gov.in. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 12 January 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  30. ^ "Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election - 2008". eci.gov.in. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  31. ^ "General Election 2009". Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 12 January 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  32. ^ "General Election 2014". Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  33. ^ "General Election 2019". Election Commission of India. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  34. ^ "Personal life of Mallikarjun Kharge". Business Standard. 3 June 2014. Archived from the original on 3 June 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  35. ^ "Mallikarjun Kharge takes the Congress reins". India Today. 21 October 2022. Archived from the original on 30 October 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  36. ^ "'Kharge Is Wrong': How PM Modi And His Govt Have Promoted Buddhism through Governance And Diplomacy". News18. 26 April 2024.
  37. ^ "Buddhism follower Mallikarjun M Kharge has many seconds to his name". 19 October 2022.
  38. ^ Babu, Venkatesha (30 September 2022). "Ten lesser-known facts about Mallikarjuna Kharge". BusinessLine. Archived from the original on 29 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  39. ^ Naqvi, Saba. "Kharge's election and the elite commentariat". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 29 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  40. ^ Rajendran, Sudipto Mondal, Dhanya (18 April 2024). "Mallikarjun Kharge's Ism: An Ambedkarite manifesto for the Modi years". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 29 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  41. ^ "About Buddha Vihar, Gulbarga". Buddha vihar Gulbarga. Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  42. ^ "A grand bow to the arts". The Hindu. 1 July 2005. Archived from the original on 27 January 2011.

[1]

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Lok Sabha
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Gulbarga
2009–2019 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Labour and Employment
2009–2013 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of Railways
2013–2014 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by President of
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee
2005–2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Leader of the Indian National Congress
in the Lok Sabha
2014–2019 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha
2022– 		Incumbent
Preceded by President of the Indian National Congress
2022–present 		Incumbent
  1. ^ Mutha, Snehal (13 November 2024). "Mallikarjun Kharge: BJP, RSS had no role in freedom movement". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
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