Mallikarjun Kharge Explained

Office:1st Chairman of the
Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA)
Term Start:13 January 2024
Predecessor:Position established
Office1:President of the Indian National Congress
Predecessor1:Sonia Gandhi (interim)
Order2:14th
Office2:Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha
Term Start2:16 February 2021
Predecessor2:Ghulam Nabi Azad
Deputy2:
Primeminister2:Narendra Modi
Office3:Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
Term Start3:12 June 2020
Constituency3:Karnataka
Predecessor3:Rajeev Gowda
Office4:Leader of the Indian National Congress, Lok Sabha
Term Start4:4 June 2014
Term End4:23 May 2019
Predecessor4:Sushilkumar Shinde
Successor4:Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
Primeminister4:Narendra Modi
Office5:Union Minister of Railways
Primeminister5:Manmohan Singh
Term Start5:17 June 2013
Term End5:26 May 2014
Predecessor5:C. P. Joshi
Successor5:D. V. Sadananda Gowda
Office6:Union Minister of Labour and Employment
Primeminister6:Manmohan Singh
Term Start6:29 May 2009
Term End6:16 June 2013
Predecessor6:Oscar Fernandes
Successor6:Sis Ram Ola
Office7:Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
Constituency7:Gulbarga, Karnataka
Term Start7:31 May 2009
Term End7:23 May 2019
Predecessor7:Iqbal Ahmed Saradgi
Successor7:Umesh. G. Jadhav
Office8:24th President of the
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee
Term Start8:2005
Term End8:2008
1Blankname8:AICC President
1Namedata8:Sonia Gandhi
Predecessor8:Janardhana Poojary
Successor8:R. V. Deshpande
Office9:Minister of Home Affairs
Government of Karnataka
Term Start9:1999
Term End9:2004
Governor9:
2Blankname9:Chief Minister
2Namedata9:S. M. Krishna
Office10:15th Leader of the Opposition
Karnataka Legislative Assembly
Term Start10:5 June 2008
Term End10:26 May 2009
Governor10:Rameshwar Thakur
1Blankname10:Chief Minister
1Namedata10:B. S. Yediyurappa
Predecessor10:N. Dharam Singh
Successor10:Siddaramaiah
Term Start11:19 December 1996
Term End11:7 July 1999
Governor11:Khurshed Alam Khan
1Blankname11:Chief Minister
1Namedata11:Jayadevappa Halappa Patel
Predecessor11:B. S. Yediyurappa
Successor11:Jagadish Shettar
Office12:Minister for Cooperation & Marketing
Government of Karnataka
Term Start12:1992
Term End12:1994
Governor12:Khurshed Alam Khan
2Blankname12:Chief Minister
2Namedata12:Veerappa Moily
Office13:Minister of Revenue & Stamps
Government of Karnataka
Term Start13:1990
Term End13:1992
Governor13:
1Blankname13:Chief Minister
1Namedata13:Bangarappa
Term Start14:1980
Term End14:1983
Governor14:Govind Narain
1Blankname14:Chief Minister
1Namedata14:R. Gundu Rao
Office15:Member of Karnataka Legislative Assembly
Term Start15:2008
Term End15:2009
Constituency15:Chittapur
Predecessor15:Vishwanath Patil Hebbal
Successor15:Valmiki Naik
Predecessor16:N. Yenkappa
Successor16:Baburao Chinchansur
Term Start16:1972
Term End16:2008
Constituency16:Gurmitkal
Birth Name:Mapanna Mallikarjun Kharge
Birth Date:21 July 1942
Birth Place:Warwatti, Hyderabad State, British India
(present-day Karnataka, India)
Nationality:Indian
Children:5, including Priyank Kharge
Residence:10, Rajaji Marg, New Delhi, Delhi, India
Source:https://sansad.in/rs/members/biography/2482?photoURL=https://sansad.in/getFile/newmembers/photos/P2482.jpg?source=rajyasabha&from=members sansad.in

Mapanna Mallikarjun Kharge (in 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.

He was the chairperson of Public Accounts Committee in 16th Lok Sabha from 2016 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. Kharge was a Member of Parliament for Gulbarga, Karnataka from 2009 to 2019. He was also general secretary of All India Congress Committee and incharge for Maharashtra from 2018 to 2020.

Kharge served as the Leader of opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from 1996 to 1999. He was the President of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee from 2005 to 2008. He was a member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Gurmitkal Assembly constituency from 1972 to 2008 and from Chittapur Assembly constituency from 2008 to 2009 and Ministry of home affairs, Government of Karnataka from 1999 to 2004 and Rural development from 1978 to 1980. He defeated Shashi Tharoor in the 2022 Indian National Congress presidential election. 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 known for his record of defeating all his opposition candidates in his lifetime career except one.[4]

Early life and background

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. 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.[7]

Role in national politics

In 2009, Kharge was elected in the general elections from Gulbarga. This was his tenth consecutive election victory.[8]

In the 2014 general elections, Kharge was elected from Gulbarga, beating Revunaik Belamagih from the BJP with a margin of 13,404 votes.[9] [10] In June, he was appointed the Leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha.[11]

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.

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

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.[14] 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.

President of the Indian National Congress

Election for president

On 1 October 2022, he filed nominations to contest the INC party presidential polls and won with 7897 votes.[15] He was the first INC President not from the Gandhi family in 24 years.[16]

2024 Indian general elections

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.[17] However, other senior leaders of the alliance such a Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Yadav disapproved the proposal.[18]

Electoral performances

YearElectionPartyConstituency NameResultVotes gainedVote share%MarginRef
1972Mysore Legislative AssemblyINC Gurmitkal16,79662.68%%9,440[19]
1978Karnataka Legislative Assembly30,38064.99%16,599[20]
1983Karnataka Legislative Assembly30,93367.65%16,143[21]
1985Karnataka Legislative Assembly32,66966%17,673[22]
1989Karnataka Legislative Assembly39,60864.23%19,969[23]
1994Karnataka Legislative Assembly42,58858.76%19,336[24]
1999Karnataka Legislative Assembly54,56976.76%47,124[25]
2004Karnataka Legislative Assembly37,00645.99%18,547[26]
2008Karnataka Legislative Assembly49,83752.13%17,442[27]
15th Lok SabhaGulbarga3,45,24145.46%13,404[28]
201416th Lok Sabha5,07,19350.83%74,733[29]
201917th Lok Sabha5,24,74044.08%95,452[30]

Positions held

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

Personal life

Kharge married Radhabai on 13 May 1968; they have 2 daughters and 3 sons.[31] [32] Kharge is a polyglot and can speak English, Hindi, Urdu, Kannada, Telugu and Marathi.[33] His son Priyank Kharge is an MLA from the Chittapur assembly constituency, 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.[34] [35] [36] [37] [38] He is the Founder-Chairman of Siddharth Vihar Trust that has built the Buddha Vihar in Gulbarga, India.[39] 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.[40]

See also

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kharge, who started as labour leader, becomes new Congress chief by beating Tharoor who speaks fine English . 2022-10-28 . India Today . 19 October 2022 . en . 28 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221028121148/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mallikarjun-kharge-new-congress-chief-who-started-as-labour-union-leader-2287212-2022-10-19 . live .
  2. News: India hands PM Modi a surprise setback, with his majority in doubt in the world's largest election. Mithil. Aggarwai. Janis Mackey. Frayer. NBC News. June 4, 2024. June 4, 2024. 4 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240604151033/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/india-election-results-narendra-modi-rcna154839. live.
  3. News: India's Narendra Modi Struggles to Hold On to Majority, Early Election Results Show. Krishna. Poharel. Tripti. Lahiri. Wall Street Journal. 3 June 2024. 4 June 2024. 4 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240604115138/https://www.wsj.com/world/india/india-election-2024-nanendra-modi-6179abad. live.
  4. News: 2019-05-23 . Mallikarjun Kharge suffers first electoral defeat in his career . The Economic Times . 2023-10-15 . 0013-0389 . 16 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230816050046/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/mallikarjun-kharge-suffers-first-electoral-defeat-in-his-career/articleshow/69469983.cms?from=mdr . live .
  5. Web site: Escaping Blaze at 7 to Congress Chief at 80 Mallikarjun Kharges Firefighting Continues Son Recounts Journey for News18. 19 October 2022. 26 October 2022. 26 October 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221026170823/https://www.news18.com/news/politics/escaping-blaze-at-7-to-cong-chief-at-80-mallikarjun-kharges-firefighting-continues-son-recounts-journey-6192775.html. live.
  6. Web site: Mallikarjun Kharge officially takes charge as 1st non-Gandhi Congress president after 24 years. 26 October 2022. 26 October 2022. 26 October 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221026144819/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/mallikarjun-kharge-officially-takes-charge-as-1st-non-gandhi-congress-president-after-24-years-11666752838161.html. live.
  7. Web site: Early life of Kharge. Press Journal Kharge. 5 June 2014. 10 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140810100410/http://www.kharge.com/demo/political-career/. dead.
  8. News: Phukan . Sandip . 3 June 2014 . Mallikarjun Kharge consecutive win . NDTV . 5 June 2014 . 4 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140604232808/http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/mallikarjun-kharge-not-rahul-gandhi-to-lead-congress-in-lok-sabha-534829 . live .
  9. Web site: 2022-10-29 . Know about the New Congress President - Mallikarjun Kharge . 2024-07-01 . Indian National Congress . en . 26 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240526055521/https://inc.in/congress-sandesh/others/know-about-the-new-congress-president . live .
  10. Web site: Gulbarga SC Election Results . 2022-10-30 . www.elections.in . 30 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221030071108/https://www.elections.in/results/gulbarga-sc-ka.html . live .
  11. News: Sonia picks Mallikarjun Kharge over 'unwilling' Rahul as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha . 12 February 2021 . The Indian Express . 3 June 2014 . en . 12 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210212175441/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/sonia-picks-mallikarjun-kharge-over-unwilling-rahul-as-leader-of-opposition-in-lok-sabha/ . live .
  12. News: Joshi . Bharath . H D Deve Gowda, Mallikarjun Kharge elected unanimously to Rajya Sabha from Karnataka . 12 February 2021 . Deccan Herald . 12 June 2020 . en . 12 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200612171713/https://www.deccanherald.com/state/top-karnataka-stories/h-d-deve-gowda-mallikarjun-kharge-elected-unanimously-to-rajya-sabha-from-karnataka-848832.html . live .
  13. News: Kharge to be Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha. The Hindu. 12 February 2021. 12 February 2021. 12 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210212064010/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/mallikarjun-kharge-likely-to-be-leader-of-opposition-in-rajya-sabha-congress-sources/article33818232.ece. live.
  14. Web site: How two states slipped out of the Congress under Mallikarjun Kharge's 'observation', while a third one is on the line . 2022-10-27 . India Today . 4 October 2022 . en . 27 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221027150955/https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/how-two-states-slipped-out-of-the-congress-under-mallikarjun-kharge-s-observation-while-a-third-one-is-on-the-line-2008305-2022-10-04 . live .
  15. Web site: 2022-10-19 . Highlights: Newly-elected Cong president Kharge to take charge on Oct 26 . 2022-10-27 . Hindustan Times . en . 27 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221027054308/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/congress-presidential-polls-live-results-shashi-tharoor-mallikarjun-kharge-rahul-gandhi-sonia-gandhi-october-19-latest-news-101666140143855.html . live .
  16. Web site: 2022-10-26 . Mallikarjun Kharge officially takes charge as 1st non-Gandhi Congress president . 2023-12-19 . mint . en . 26 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221026144819/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/mallikarjun-kharge-officially-takes-charge-as-1st-non-gandhi-congress-president-after-24-years-11666752838161.html . live .
  17. Web site: Menon . Aditya . 2023-12-19 . INDIA Bloc Meeting: Why Mallikarjun Kharge is Right Choice as PM Face But... . 2023-12-19 . TheQuint . en . 19 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231219163507/https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/mallikarjun-kharge-india-alliance-meeting-congress-arvind-kejriwal-mamata-banerjee-rahul-gandhi . live .
  18. Web site: INDIA bloc meets and sulking members in aftermath: A consistent saga in 4 parts . 2023-12-19 . India Today . 19 December 2023 . en . 19 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231219164031/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-bloc-meeting-kharge-pm-candidate-nitish-kumar-lalu-yadav-upset-mamata-banerjee-seat-sharing-2478048-2023-12-19 . live .
  19. Web site: Mysore Legislative Assembly Election, 1972 . . eci.gov.in . 10 April 2023 . limited . 17 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240317190937/https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3775-karnataka-1972/ . live .
  20. Web site: Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1978 . . eci.gov.in . 30 October 2022 . limited . 17 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240317193101/https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3776-karnataka-1978/ . live .
  21. Web site: Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1983 . . eci.gov.in . 30 October 2022 . limited.
  22. Web site: Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1985 . . eci.gov.in . 30 October 2022 . limited.
  23. Web site: Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1989 . . eci.gov.in . 30 October 2022 . limited . 17 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240317133624/https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3779-karnataka-1989/ . live .
  24. Web site: Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1994 . . eci.gov.in . 30 October 2022 . limited.
  25. Web site: Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1999 . . eci.gov.in . 2 June 2023 . limited.
  26. Web site: Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 2004 . . eci.gov.in . 7 September 2021 . limited . 12 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240112142921/https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3782-karnataka-2004/ . live .
  27. Web site: Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election - 2008 . . eci.gov.in . 7 September 2021 . limited . 17 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240317132435/https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3783-karnataka-2008/ . live .
  28. Web site: General Election 2009 . . 22 October 2021 . 12 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240112220034/https://old.eci.gov.in/files/category/98-general-election-2009/ . live .
  29. Web site: General Election 2014 . . 22 October 2021 . 6 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211006055629/https://eci.gov.in/files/file/2857-constituency-wise-detailed-result/ . live .
  30. Web site: General Election 2019 . . 22 October 2021.
  31. Web site: Detailed Profile. Government of India. 10 March 2021. 17 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220717115646/http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/memberbioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4315&lastls=16. live.
  32. News: Personal life of Mallikarjun Kharge . 5 June 2014 . Business Standard . 3 June 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140603063301/http://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/congress-appoints-mallikarjun-kharge-as-its-leader-in-lok-sabha-114060201323_1.html . 3 June 2014 .
  33. Web site: Mallikarjun Kharge takes the Congress reins . 2022-10-30 . India Today . 21 October 2022 . en . 30 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221030071102/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/the-big-story/story/20221031-mallikarjun-kharge-takes-congress-reins-2287766-2022-10-21 . live .
  34. Web site: 'Kharge Is Wrong': How PM Modi And His Govt Have Promoted Buddhism through Governance And Diplomacy. 26 April 2024. News18.
  35. Web site: Buddhism follower Mallikarjun M Kharge has many seconds to his name . 19 October 2022 .
  36. Web site: Ten lesser-known facts about Mallikarjuna Kharge. Venkatesha. Babu. 30 September 2022. BusinessLine. 29 June 2024. 29 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240629021023/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/ten-lesser-known-facts-about-mallikarjuna-kharge/article65956116.ece. live.
  37. Web site: Kharge's election and the elite commentariat. Saba. Naqvi. Deccan Herald. 29 June 2024. 29 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240629021023/https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/kharges-election-and-the-elite-commentariat-1156583.html. live.
  38. Web site: Mallikarjun Kharge's Ism: An Ambedkarite manifesto for the Modi years. Sudipto Mondal,Dhanya. Rajendran. 18 April 2024. The News Minute. 29 June 2024. 29 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240629021022/https://www.thenewsminute.com/long-form/mallikarjun-kharges-ism-an-ambedkarite-manifesto-for-the-modi-years. live.
  39. Web site: About Buddha Vihar, Gulbarga . Buddha vihar Gulbarga . 10 May 2013 . 18 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211018225146/http://buddhavihar.org/about.html . dead .
  40. News: 1 July 2005 . A grand bow to the arts . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110127183920/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/07/01/stories/2005070103420300.htm . 27 January 2011.

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