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👁 Mallikarjun Kharge
Image Source : Wikipedia
  • Born 21 July 1942
  • Age 82
  • Birth Place Warwatti, Hyderabad State, British India
  • Profession Lawyer, Politician
  • Political Party Indian National Congress
  • In Office Leader Of The Indian National Congress In Lok Sabha 4 June 2014 - 23 May 2019, Union Minister Of Railways 17 June 2013 - 26 May 2014, Union Minister Of Labour And Employment 29 May 2009 - 16 June 2013, Member Of Parliament, Lok Sabha 31 May 2009 - 23 May 2019, 24th President Of The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee 2005-2008, Minister Of Home Affairs, Government Of Karnataka 1999-2004, 15th Leader Of The Opposition In Karnataka Legislative Assembly 5 June 2008 - 26 May 2009, Minister For Cooperation & Marketing, Government Of Karnataka 1992-1994, Minister Of Revenue & Stamps, Government Of Karnataka 1990-1992, Member Of Karnataka Legislative Assembly 2008-2009
  • Residence 10, Rajaji Marg, New Delhi

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Mallikarjun Kharge BIOGRAPHY

Last Updated : 01 Feb 2025
Mallikarjun Kharge, the current president of the Indian National Congress, is a man who embodies the journey from humble beginnings to the highest echelons of Indian politics. His life and career offer a fascinating study in resilience, perseverance, and a unwavering commitment to social justice. ... Born in 1942 in Bidar, Karnataka, Kharge's early life was steeped in hardship. He belonged to the Scheduled Caste, facing the harsh realities of discrimination and poverty. Despite these challenges, he pursued his education, working alongside his studies in a mill to support his family. This firsthand experience of exploitation ignited his passion for social reform and his identification with the marginalized sections of society. Kharge's political journey began in the trade union movement. He rose through the ranks of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), fighting for the rights of workers and championing their cause. His dedication and organizational skills caught the attention of the Congress party, and he was soon drawn into the world of electoral politics. Kharge, who was the Congress'popular face in the state, could not become the CM– in 1999, 2004 and 2013. Despite being a staunch loyalist of the Gandhi family, Kharge lost out, respectively, to S M Krishna, his close friend Dharam Singh and Siddaramaiah. But the former student leader, ex-president of the Gulbarga City Congress and nine-time MLA, never lost hope, never rebelling. One of the most prominent Dalit faces of the Congress, belonging to a state where the party continues to have some hold, he had to be content with the occasional reward like leader of the party in the Lok Sabha and now Rajya Sabha. Kharge became the sixth leader from the South to become the Congress president post- Independence. The others being B Pattabhi Sitaramayya, N Sanjiva Reddy, K Kamaraj, S Nijalingappa and P V Narasimha Rao. More importantly, he will be the first person outside the Gandhi family to helm the party in two-and-a-half decades. Kharge brings to the post a long stint in state politics from the time he was appointed president of the city Congress of his hometown Gulbarga in 1969. He entered electoral politics in 1972 when he contested in the Assembly elections for the first time. He won and repeated the feat eight times. He became a minister for the first time in 1976 in the Devaraj Urs government. The only time Kharge showed a rebel streak was in the late 1970s when Urs left the party and floated the Congress (U) after a showdown with Indira Gandhi. Kharge went with Urs but returned to the Congress after the 1980 Lok Sabha elections following the rout of the Urs Congress in Karnataka. His party could not win a single seat.

Mallikarjun Kharge PERSONAL LIFE

Spouse Radhabai Kharge ​(1968), ​
Children 5, including Priyank Kharge
Education Government Arts and Science College, Gulbarga (BA), S.S.L. Law College, Karnatak University (LLB)

POSITIONS HELD BY Mallikarjun Kharge

Position Tenure
Member of the 15th Lok Sabha 2009 - Present
Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly N/A
Member of the 16th Lok Sabha N/A

MALLIKARJUN KHARGE NEWS

RS Chairman refers notice against Mallikarjun Kharge over his PM remarks to Committee of Privileges

June 17, 2026 9:53 pm

The notice had accused the senior Congress leader, against whom the BJP had also filed a complaint with the Election Commission over his remarks during campaigning for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Inside Track: Pricey Presidential Perks

June 14, 2026 12:47 am

After the Congress’s fraught delay in nominating V D Satheesan as Kerala Chief Minister, the focus has shifted to 83-year old Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. Some complain that Kharge is turning into a bit of a liability because of his excess baggage.

At key Opposition meeting, an all-stars line-up and a rallying cry

June 08, 2026 1:55 pm

Targeting the Central government over several issues, Kharge said the voting rights of millions of people were stripped away through the Special Intensive Roll (SIR) exercise

‘Half-knowledge is dangerous’: J P Nadda hits back at Mallikarjun Kharge for ‘hiding health data’ allegations

June 07, 2026 4:17 am

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that the PM Narendra Modi-led government was hiding National Family Health Survey data and ‘manipulating the narrative’.

Biennial elections to Upper House: Congress picks 7, nominates Mallikarjun Kharge, Pawan Khera from Karnataka

June 05, 2026 4:19 am

While AICC secretary Pranav Jha, attached to Kharge’s office in his capacity as party president, has been nominated for the Upper House from Jharkhand, AICC member and the party’s former general secretary for the state unit Neeraj Dangi was renominated from Rajasthan.

Rahul, Kharge in attendance, Congress strategy meeting for Punjab sees Channi, warring in blame game

May 30, 2026 6:23 am

It is learnt that Channi raised the question of poor performance of Congress in Gidderbaha. He is reported to have asked how the party would prepare for the Assembly polls when the home constituency of the state president itself was swept by AAP.

‘Government-created crisis’: Opposition slams fuel price hike

May 26, 2026 12:43 pm

Kharge alleged that the country’s economy was “collapsing” and that the Prime Minister had “no vision” to govern the country effectively, adding that people across the country were burdened by rising prices and unemployment.

👁 Radhika Ambani
Radhika Merchant on feminism, marriage, matriarchy: ‘Some places Anant leads…’
Lifestyle45 min ago

Radhika Merchant Ambani, in an interaction with I.I.M.U.N., discussed her upbringing in a matriarchal family and the importance of educating both men and women about respecting each other's expectations. Psychotherapist Delnna Rrajesh stressed the significance of mutual respect in relationships and suggests intentional conversations to understand each other's emotional needs.

MALLIKARJUN KHARGE PHOTOS

In Pictures: Mallikarjun Kharge files nomination for Rajya Sabha from Karnataka

June 05, 2026 4:44 pm

Kharge is the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and his term in the Upper House of the Parliament is coming to an end on June 25

Congress leaders pay tribute to former PM Rajiv Gandhi on death anniversary

May 21, 2026 1:48 pm

Besides members of the Gandhi family, many former chief ministers and union ministers paid their tributes to Rajiv Gandhi at his memorial Veer Bhumi

BJP delegation meets EC, seeks action against Kharge over ‘terrorist’ remark on PM Modi

April 22, 2026 3:49 pm

The Bharatiya Janata Party raised objections before the Election Commission over remarks made by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge during a press conference, calling for firm intervention and accountability in the matter

Congress unveils West Bengal poll manifesto with focus on education, welfare and jobs

April 07, 2026 9:18 pm

The Congress, in its manifesto, promised a monthly assistance of Rs 2,000, free education up to the postgraduate level, and free government transport for all women

In Pictures: Opposition MPs protest LPG supply crunch in Parliament complex

March 25, 2026 2:49 pm

The reported LPG crunch comes amid the conflict in West Asia, following which the government has prioritised the allocation of domestically produced natural gas for LPG production, compressed natural gas (CNG) and piped cooking gas sectors

Congress leaders address media after Delhi court refuses to take cognisance of ED complaint

December 17, 2025 5:42 pm

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, along with K.C. Venugopal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, held a press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday, strongly reacting to a Delhi court’s decision not to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate’s prosecution complaint in the National Herald case involving Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

Manipur takes centrestage as Rahul Gandhi, Amit Shah speak in Lok Sabha

August 09, 2023 10:59 pm

The no-confidence vote debate in the Lok Sabha focussed on the violence-hit state of Manipur.

Newly elected Himachal CM Sukhu meets Congress chief Kharge in Delhi

December 15, 2022 8:47 pm

AICC General Secretary and In-charge Himachal Pradesh Rajiv Shukla welcomed all the MLAs and congratulated them for their performance in the state Assembly elections.

MALLIKARJUN KHARGE VIDEOS

Let us see what government offers: Kharge on Rail Budget

February 25, 2016 6:51 am

New Delhi, Feb 25 (ANI): Taking a jibe at the ruling NDA Government, Former Railway Minister and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said, “Let us see what the government is going to give, whether the people are going to get the bullet trains or not.” He added, “In the President’s speech, they said high-speed trains from Mumbai to Ahmedabad. So, what is the exact budget provision for that and whether the bullet train is going to help the poor people and is it affordable to the passengers we will see to that.”

President rule in Arunachl Pradesh is 'murder' of democracy: Congress

January 26, 2016 11:58 am

New Delhi, Jan 26 (ANI): Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday said the decision to impose President rule in Arunachal Pradesh is a "murder" of democracy. Kharge added that it is a conspiracy of the BJP and Arunachal Pradesh Governor to divide and topple the Congress party from the state.Whereas, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nalin Kohli refuted the Congress' allegation and said the decision has been taken keeping in mind the requirement of the state.

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