Mallikarjun Kharge
{{Short description|Indian lawyer and politician (born 1942)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| image = Mallikarjun Kharge briefing the media after presenting the Interim Railway Budget 2014-15 in New Delhi (cropped).jpg
| caption = Kharge as the Union Minister for Railways in February 2014
| office = 1st Chairman of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance
| term_start = 13 January 2024
| term_end =
| predecessor = Position established
| successor =
| office1 = National President of the Indian National Congress
| term_start1 = 26 October 2022
| term_end1 =
| predecessor1 = Sonia Gandhi (interim)
| successor1 =
| order2 = 14th
| office2 = Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha
| deputy2 = Anand Sharma
Pramod Tiwari
| term_start2 = 16 February 2021
| term_end2 =
| predecessor2 = Ghulam Nabi Azad
| successor2 =
| constituency3 = Karnataka
| office3 = Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
| term_start3 = 12 June 2020
| predecessor3 = Rajeev Gowda
| birth_name = Mapanna Mallikarjun Kharge
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1942|07|21|df=y}}
| birth_place = Warwatti, Hyderabad State, British India
| nationality = Indian
| party = Indian National Congress
| occupation = {{hlist|Lawyer|politician}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Radhabai Kharge|13 May 1968}}
| children = 5, including Priyank Kharge
| residence = 10, Rajaji Marg, New Delhi
| alma_mater = {{ubl|Government Arts and Science College, Gulbarga (BA)|S.S.L. Law College, Karnatak University (LLB)}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/indian-parliament/shri-mallikarjun-kharge|india.gov.in/mallikarjun-kharge}}
{{collapsed infobox section begin
|last = y
|Prior political offices
|titlestyle = border:1px dashed lightgrey;}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|embed = yes
| office4 = Leader of the Indian National Congress in Lok Sabha
| term_start4 = 4 June 2014
| term_end4 = 23 May 2019
| predecessor4 = Sushilkumar Shinde
| successor4 = Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
| president4 = Sonia Gandhi (2014–2017)
Rahul Gandhi (2017–2019)
| 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 = * Khurshed Alam Khan
| 2blankname9 = Chief Minister
| 2namedata9 = S. M. Krishna
| office10 = 15th Leader of the Opposition in 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 = * Khurshed Alam Khan
| 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
{{Collapsed infobox section end}}}}
}}
Mapanna Mallikarjun Kharge ({{IPA|kn|malːikaːrd͡ʒun kʰɐrɡe|lang}}; born 21 July 1942) is an Indian lawyer and statesman serving as the President of the Indian National Congress since 2022 and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha since 2021. He has been a Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha from Karnataka since 2020.
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.{{Cite web |title=Kharge, who started as labour leader, becomes new Congress chief by beating Tharoor who speaks fine English |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mallikarjun-kharge-new-congress-chief-who-started-as-labour-union-leader-2287212-2022-10-19 |access-date=2022-10-28 |website=India Today |date=19 October 2022 |language=en |archive-date=28 October 2022 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live }} Under his presidency, the Congress gained 99 seats in the 2024 Indian general election, forming the official opposition for the first time since 2014.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/india-election-results-narendra-modi-rcna154839|title=India hands PM Modi a surprise setback, with his majority in doubt in the world's largest election|first1=Mithil|last1=Aggarwai|first2=Janis Mackey|last2=Frayer|publisher=NBC News|date=June 4, 2024|accessdate=June 4, 2024|archive-date=4 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604151033/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/india-election-results-narendra-modi-rcna154839|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/world/india/india-election-2024-nanendra-modi-6179abad|title=India's Narendra Modi Struggles to Hold On to Majority, Early Election Results Show|first1=Krishna|last1=Poharel|first2=Tripti|last2=Lahiri|publisher=Wall Street Journal|date=3 June 2024|accessdate=4 June 2024|archive-date=4 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604115138/https://www.wsj.com/world/india/india-election-2024-nanendra-modi-6179abad|url-status=live}} He is a close ally of the Gandhi family.{{Cite news |last=Qureshi |first=Imran |date=19 October 2022 |title=Mallikarjun Kharge: Can a non-Gandhi Congress chief take on Modi? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-63252922 |access-date=1 February 2025 |language=en-GB}}
Early life and background
Mallikarjun Kharge was born on 21 July 1942 in the Varawatti, Bhalki Taluk, Bidar district, Karnataka in a Dalit family to Saibavva and Mapanna Kharge.{{Cite web |title=Mallikarjun Kharge |url=https://indianexpress.com/about/mallikarjun-kharge/ |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/escaping-blaze-at-7-to-cong-chief-at-80-mallikarjun-kharges-firefighting-continues-son-recounts-journey-6192775.html|title=Escaping Blaze at 7 to Congress Chief at 80 Mallikarjun Kharges Firefighting Continues Son Recounts Journey for News18|date=19 October 2022|access-date=26 October 2022|archive-date=26 October 2022|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/mallikarjun-kharge-officially-takes-charge-as-1st-non-gandhi-congress-president-after-24-years-11666752838161.html|title=Mallikarjun Kharge officially takes charge as 1st non-Gandhi Congress president after 24 years|date=26 October 2022|access-date=26 October 2022|archive-date=26 October 2022|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|title=Early life of Kharge|url=http://www.kharge.com/demo/political-career/|publisher=Press Journal Kharge|access-date=5 June 2014|archive-date=10 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810100410/http://www.kharge.com/demo/political-career/|url-status=dead}}
Political career
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.{{cite news |last1=Phukan |first1=Sandip |date=3 June 2014 |title=Mallikarjun Kharge consecutive win |work=NDTV |url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/mallikarjun-kharge-not-rahul-gandhi-to-lead-congress-in-lok-sabha-534829 |access-date=5 June 2014 |archive-date=4 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604232808/http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/mallikarjun-kharge-not-rahul-gandhi-to-lead-congress-in-lok-sabha-534829 |url-status=live }}
In the 2014 general elections, Kharge was elected from Gulbarga, beating Revunaik Belamagih from the BJP with a margin of 13,404 votes.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-29 |title=Know about the New Congress President - Mallikarjun Kharge |url=https://inc.in/congress-sandesh/others/know-about-the-new-congress-president |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=Indian National Congress |language=en |archive-date=26 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526055521/https://inc.in/congress-sandesh/others/know-about-the-new-congress-president |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Gulbarga SC Election Results |url=https://www.elections.in/results/gulbarga-sc-ka.html |access-date=2022-10-30 |website=www.elections.in |archive-date=30 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030071108/https://www.elections.in/results/gulbarga-sc-ka.html |url-status=live }} In June, he was appointed the Leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha.{{cite news |title=Sonia picks Mallikarjun Kharge over 'unwilling' Rahul as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/sonia-picks-mallikarjun-kharge-over-unwilling-rahul-as-leader-of-opposition-in-lok-sabha/ |access-date=12 February 2021 |work=The Indian Express |date=3 June 2014 |language=en |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=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/ |url-status=live }}
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.{{cite news |last1=Joshi |first1=Bharath |title=H D Deve Gowda, Mallikarjun Kharge elected unanimously to Rajya Sabha from Karnataka |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/state/top-karnataka-stories/h-d-deve-gowda-mallikarjun-kharge-elected-unanimously-to-rajya-sabha-from-karnataka-848832.html |access-date=12 February 2021 |work=Deccan Herald |date=12 June 2020 |language=en |archive-date=12 June 2020 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live }} On 12 February 2021, Kharge was appointed Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/mallikarjun-kharge-likely-to-be-leader-of-opposition-in-rajya-sabha-congress-sources/article33818232.ece|title=Kharge to be Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha|work=The Hindu|date=12 February 2021|access-date=12 February 2021|archive-date=12 February 2021|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}
Kharge notably has been appointed an observer by the INC for multiple states in the past, including Assam in 2014, Punjab in 2021, and Rajasthan in 2022.{{Cite web |title=How two states slipped out of the Congress under Mallikarjun Kharge's 'observation', while a third one is on the line |url=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 |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=India Today |date=4 October 2022 |language=en |archive-date=27 October 2022 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live }} 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.
He is known for his record of defeating all his opposition candidates in his lifetime career except one.{{Cite news |date=2019-05-23 |title=Mallikarjun Kharge suffers first electoral defeat in his career |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/mallikarjun-kharge-suffers-first-electoral-defeat-in-his-career/articleshow/69469983.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-10-15 |issn=0013-0389 |archive-date=16 August 2023 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live }} In 2023, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Lokmat's Parliamentary Awards.{{Cite news |date=14 March 2023 |title=Lokmat Parliamentary Award |url=https://www.lokmat.com/national/lokmat-parliamentary-awards-congress-president-mallikarjun-kharge-gets-lifetime-achievement-award-a941/ |access-date=11 November 2024 |work=Lokmat}}
=President of the Indian National Congress=
== Election ==
On 1 October 2022, he filed nominations to contest the INC party presidential polls and won with 7897 votes.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-19 |title=Highlights: Newly-elected Cong president Kharge to take charge on Oct 26 |url=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 |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=27 October 2022 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live }} He was the first INC President not from the Gandhi family in 24 years.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-26 |title=Mallikarjun Kharge officially takes charge as 1st non-Gandhi Congress president |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/mallikarjun-kharge-officially-takes-charge-as-1st-non-gandhi-congress-president-after-24-years-11666752838161.html |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=mint |language=en |archive-date=26 October 2022 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live }} He was 61th person to hold the post and 98th president of the party.Indian National Congress 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 Jharkhand in 2024, while losing power in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan in 2023.{{Cite web |title=Congress Wins Himachal, Race Begins For Chief Minister's Chair: 10 Points |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/himachal-pradesh-results-today-rivaaj-and-rebels-key-factors-10-points-3585850 |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=www.ndtv.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Hemant Soren poised to form government in Jharkhand for second time |url=https://ddnews.gov.in/en/hemant-soren-poised-to-form-government-in-jharkhand-for-second-time/ |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=ddnews.gov.in}}{{Cite news |last=Reddy |first=R. Ravikanth |date=2023-12-03 |title=Telangana Assembly election results 2023 {{!}} Congress breaks Bharat Rashtra Samithi’s decade-long hold over Telangana with big wins |url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/telangana-assembly/telangana-assembly-election-results-2023-congress-takes-over-telangana-from-bharat-rashtra-samithi/article67602343.ece |access-date=2025-01-17 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite news |date=2023-12-03 |title=Decisive wins: The Hindu Editorial on M.P., Rajasthan, Telangana and Chhattisgarh Assembly election results |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/decisive-wins-the-hindu-editorial-on-mp-rajasthan-telangana-and-chhattisgarh-assembly-election-results/article67601500.ece |access-date=2025-01-17 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} The Congress opted out of Omar Abdullah’s government in Jammu Kashmir after it sought two ministries but was offered only one even though both parties contested election in alliance. It had won just six of the 39 seats it contested in the state.{{Cite news |date=October 16, 2024 |title=Congress opts out of Omar Abdullah’s government in J&K |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/congress-opts-out-omar-abdullah-s-government-in-jk-101729055741609.html |url-status=live |work=Hindustan Times}}
== 2024 general election ==
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.{{Cite web |last=Menon |first=Aditya |date=2023-12-19 |title=INDIA Bloc Meeting: Why Mallikarjun Kharge is Right Choice as PM Face But... |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/mallikarjun-kharge-india-alliance-meeting-congress-arvind-kejriwal-mamata-banerjee-rahul-gandhi |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=TheQuint |language=en |archive-date=19 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219163507/https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/mallikarjun-kharge-india-alliance-meeting-congress-arvind-kejriwal-mamata-banerjee-rahul-gandhi |url-status=live }} However, other senior leaders of the alliance such a Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Yadav disapproved the proposal.{{Cite web |title=INDIA bloc meets and sulking members in aftermath: A consistent saga in 4 parts |url=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 |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=India Today |date=19 December 2023 |language=en |archive-date=19 December 2023 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live }}
Electoral performances
Positions held
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Description |
|---|
| 1972–1978
| Elected to 5th Mysore Assembly (1st Term)
|
| 1978–1983
| Elected to 6th Karnataka Assembly (2nd Term)
|
| 1983–1985
| Elected to 7th Karnataka Assembly (3rd Term)
|
| 1985–1989
| Elected to 8th Karnataka Assembly (4th Term)
|
| 1989–1994
| Elected to 9th Karnataka Assembly (5th Term)
|
| 1994–1999
| Elected to 10th Karnataka Assembly (6th Term)
|
| 1999–2004
| Elected to 11th Karnataka Assembly (7th Term)
|
| 2004–2008
| Elected to 12th Karnataka Assembly (8th Term)
|
| 2008–2009
| Elected to 13th Karnataka Assembly (9th Term)
|
| 2009–2014
| Elected to 15th Lok Sabha (1st Term)
|
| 2014–2019
| Elected to 16th Lok Sabha (2nd Term)
|
| 2020–Present
| Elected to Rajya Sabha (1st Term)
|
Personal life
Kharge married Radhabai on 13 May 1968; they have 2 daughters and 3 sons.{{cite web|title=Detailed Profile|url=http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/memberbioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4315&lastls=16|publisher=Government of India|access-date=10 March 2021|archive-date=17 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717115646/http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/memberbioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4315&lastls=16|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Personal life of Mallikarjun Kharge |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/congress-appoints-mallikarjun-kharge-as-its-leader-in-lok-sabha-114060201323_1.html |access-date=5 June 2014 |work=Business Standard |date=3 June 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=3 June 2014 }} Kharge is a polyglot and can speak English, Hindi, Urdu, Kannada, Telugu and Marathi.{{Cite web |title=Mallikarjun Kharge takes the Congress reins |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/the-big-story/story/20221031-mallikarjun-kharge-takes-congress-reins-2287766-2022-10-21 |access-date=2022-10-30 |website=India Today |date=21 October 2022 |language=en |archive-date=30 October 2022 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live }} 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.
He is the Founder-Chairman of Siddharth Vihar Trust that has built the Buddha Vihar in Gulbarga, India.{{cite web |title=About Buddha Vihar, Gulbarga |url=http://www.buddhavihar.org/about.html |publisher=Buddha vihar Gulbarga |access-date=10 May 2013 |archive-date=18 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018225146/http://buddhavihar.org/about.html |url-status=dead }} 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.{{cite news |date=1 July 2005 |title=A grand bow to the arts |newspaper=The Hindu |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/07/01/stories/2005070103420300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127183920/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/07/01/stories/2005070103420300.htm |archive-date=27 January 2011}}
See also
References
{{Reflist|35em}}
External links
- [https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/indian-parliament/shri-mallikarjun-kharge Mallikarjun Kharge – official profile] at India.Gov.in
- [https://inc.in/congress-sandesh/others/know-about-the-new-congress-president Know about the New Congress President -Mallikarjun Kharge] at Indian National Congress Website
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