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{{short description|Indian politician}}
{{Short description|Indian lawyer and politician (1942–2026)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}  
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| image = MallikarjunKharge.jpg
| image = Mallikarjun Kharge briefing the media after presenting the Interim Railway Budget 2014-15 in New Delhi (cropped).jpg
| office = [[List of presidents of the Indian National Congress|President of Indian National Congress]] | predecessor = [[Sonia Gandhi]] | term_start = 17 October 2022 | office1        = [[Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha]] 
| caption = Kharge in 2014
| 1blankname1    = Chairman
| office = [[List of presidents of the Indian National Congress|President of the Indian National Congress]]
| 1namedata1      = *[[Venkaiah Naidu]] 
| term_start = 26 October 2022
* [[Jagdeep Dhankhar]]
| term_end =  
| 2blankname1    = Prime Minister
| predecessor = [[Sonia Gandhi]] (''interim'')
| 2namedata1      = [[Narendra Modi]]   
| successor =  
| predecessor1    = [[Ghulam Nabi Azad]]
| office1 = [[Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance|Chairman of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance]]
| successor1      =   
| term_start1 = 13 January 2024
|term_start1      = {{Start date|2021|02|16|df=yes}}
| term_end1 =  
|term_end1        = 1 October 2022
| predecessor1 = ''Office established''
|office2        = [[Indian National Congress|Leader of Indian National Congress]], [[Lok Sabha]]
| successor1 =  
|term_start2    = 4 June 2014
| order2 = 14th
|term_end2      = 16 June 2019
| office2 = Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha
|predecessor2    = [[Sushilkumar Shinde]]
| 1blankname2 = Chairman
|successor2      = [[Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury]]
| 1namedata2 = [[Venkaiah Naidu]]<br/>[[Jagdeep Dhankhar]]<br/>[[C. P. Radhakrishnan]]
| office3        = [[Public Accounts Committee (India)|Chairperson of Public Accounts Committee]]
| deputy2 = [[Anand Sharma]]<br/>[[Pramod Tiwari]]
|term_start3    = 2016
| term_start2 = 16 February 2021
|term_end3      = 2019
| term_end2 =  
|appointed3      = [[Sumitra Mahajan]]
| predecessor2 = [[Ghulam Nabi Azad]]
{{small|([[Speaker of the Lok Sabha|Lok Sabha Speaker]])}}
| successor2 =  
|predecessor3    = [[K V Thomas]]
| constituency3 = [[List of Rajya Sabha members from Karnataka|Karnataka]]
|successor3      = [[Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury]]
| office3 = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha|Member of Parliament]], [[Rajya Sabha]]
|office4        = [[Ministry of Railways (India)|Minister of Railways]]
| term_start3 = 12 June 2020
|primeminister4  = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| predecessor3 = [[Rajeev Gowda]]
|term_start4    = 17 June 2013
| birth_name = Mapanna Mallikarjun Kharge
|term_end4      = 26 May 2014
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1942|07|21|df=y}}
|predecessor4    = [[C. P. Joshi]]
| birth_place = [[Bidar district|Warwatti]], [[Hyderabad State]], [[British Raj|British India]]
|successor4      = [[D. V. Sadananda Gowda]]
| nationality = Indian
|office5        = [[Minister of Labour and Employment (India)|Minister of Labour and Employment]]
| party = [[Indian National Congress]]
|primeminister5  = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| occupation = {{hlist|[[Lawyer]]|[[politician]]}}
|term_start5    = 29 May 2009
| spouse = {{marriage|Radhabai Kharge|13 May 1968}}
|term_end5      = 16 June 2013
| children = 5 (including [[Priyank Kharge]])
|predecessor5    = [[Oscar Fernandes]]
| residence = [[New Delhi|10, Rajaji Marg, New Delhi]]
|successor5      = [[Sis Ram Ola]]
| alma_mater = {{ubl|Government Arts and Science College, [[Gulbarga]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])|S.S.L. Law College, [[Karnatak University]] ([[Bachelor of Laws|LLB]])}}
| office6      = [[Leader of the Opposition|Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly]]
| website =  
| term_start6  = 19 December 1996
| term_end6    = 7 July 1999
| predecessor6  = [[B. S. Yediyurappa]]
| successor6    = [[Jagadish Shettar]]
| term_start7  = 5 June 2008
| term_end7    = 28 May 2009
| predecessor7  = [[N. Dharam Singh]]
| successor7    = [[Siddaramaiah]]
| office8        = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
| constituency8  = [[Karnataka]]
| predecessor8  = [[Rajeev Gowda]]
| successor8    =
| term_start8    = 12 June 2020
| term_end8      =
|office9        = General Secretary of <br />[[All India Congress Committee|AICC]] and Incharge for [[Maharashtra]]
|term_start9    = 22 June 2018
|term_end9      = 11 September 2020
|predecessor9    = Position Created
|successor9      = [[H. K. Patil]]
|office10        = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
|constituency10  = [[Gulbarga (Lok Sabha constituency)|Gulbarga]]
|term_start10    = 31 May 2009
|term_end10      = 23 May 2019
|predecessor10    = [[Iqbal Ahmed Saradgi]]
|successor10      = [[Umesh. G. Jadhav]]
|office11        = President of [[Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee]]
|term_start11    = 2005
|term_end11      = 2008
|predecessor11    = [[Janardhana Poojary]]
|successor11      = [[R. V. Deshpande]]
|office12        = Member of the [[Karnataka Legislative Assembly]], [[Karnataka]]
|predecessor12  = [[N. Yenkappa]]
|successor12    = [[Baburao Chinchansur]]
|term_start12    = 1972
|term_end12      = 2008
|constituency12  = [[Gurmitkal (Vidhana Sabha constituency)|Gurmitkal]]
|term_start13    = 2008
|term_end13      = 2009
|constituency13  = [[Chittapur (Vidhana Sabha constituency)|Chittapur]]
|predecessor13  = [[Vishwanath Patil Hebbal]]
|successor13    = [[Valmiki Naik]]
| office14      = [[Ministry of Home Affairs]], [[Government of Karnataka]]
| term_start14  = 1999
| term_end14    = 2004
| 2blankname14  = [[Chief Minister]]
| 2namedata14    = [[S. M. Krishna]]
| office15      = [[Ministry of Rural Development (India)|Minister of Rural Development]], [[Government of Karnataka]]
| term_start15  = 1978
| term_end15    = 1980
| term_start16  = 1990
| term_end16    = 1992
| office17      = [[Minister of Revenue]], [[Government of Karnataka]]
| term_start17  = 1980
| term_end17    = 1983
| 2blankname17  = [[Chief Minister]]
| 2namedata17    = [[Gundu Rao]]
| term_start18  = 1990
| term_end18    = 1992
| 2blankname18  = [[Chief Minister]]
| 2namedata18    = [[Bangarappa]]
| office19      = Minister for Co-Operation in  [[Government of Karnataka]]
| term_start19  = 1992
| term_end19    = 1994
| 2blankname19  = [[Chief Minister]]
| 2namedata19    = [[Veerappa Moily]]
| birth_date    = {{birth date and age|1942|7|21|df=y}}
| birth_place    = Warwatti, Bhalki taluka, [[Bidar district]], [[Hyderabad State]], [[British Raj|British India]] (present-day [[Karnataka]], [[India]])
|death_date      =
|death_place    =
|party          = [[Indian National Congress]]
|otherparty      =
|spouse          = {{Marriage|Radhabai Kharge|13 May 1968}}
|children        = 5
|alma_mater      = Government College, Gulbarga <br /> [[Gulbarga University]]
}}
}}
'''Mapanna Mallikarjun Kharge''' (born 21 July 1942) is an Indian politician who is the 99th and current president of [[Indian National Congress]]. He also a  [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]] from [[Karnataka]] and [[Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha|Leader of the Opposition of Rajya Sabha]] from 16 February 2021 to 1 October 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/congress-names-mallikarjun-kharge-for-leader-of-opposition-in-rajya-sabha/articleshow/80874690.cms | title=Congress names Mallikarjun Kharge for leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=12 February 2021 | access-date=12 February 2021}}</ref> He is the former [[Ministry of Railways (India)|Minister of Railways]] and [[Ministry of Labour and Employment (India)|Minister of Labour and Employment]] in the [[Government of India]]. Kharge is a member of the [[Indian National Congress]] (INC) political party<ref>{{cite news|title=Spectacular rise for Kharge|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/29/stories/2009052953700400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602195153/http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/29/stories/2009052953700400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 June 2009|date=29 May 2009|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date = 29 May 2009}}</ref> and was a [[Parliament of India|Member of Parliament]] for [[Gulbarga (Lok Sabha constituency)|Gulbarga]], [[Karnataka]] during 2009–2019.
'''Mallikarjun Mapanna Kharge''' ({{IPA|kn|malːikaːrd͡ʒun kʰɐrɡe|lang}}; born 21 July 1942) is an Indian politician and lawyer 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 Rajya Sabha elections|2020]].


He is a senior Karnataka politician and was the [[Leader of opposition]] in the [[2018 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election|Karnataka Legislative Assembly]].  He was the President of [[Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee]] during the 2008 Karnataka State Assembly Elections.
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.


He has won elections a record 10 consecutive times having won the Assembly elections an unprecedented 9 consecutive times (1972, 1978, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2008, 2009) and lost in the 2019  General Elections against Umesh Jadhav from Gulbarga. Mallikarjun Kharge was the leader of the congress party in Lok Sabha during 2014–2019.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Indian Express|title=Team Manmohan|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-newlook-team-manmohan/467056/3}}</ref>
Kharge joined national politics when he was elected as the [[Parliament of India|Member of Parliament]] for [[Gulbarga (Lok Sabha constituency)|Gulbarga]], [[Karnataka]], serving from 2009 to 2019. During the [[Second Manmohan Singh ministry|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]], in charge for [[Maharashtra]], from 2018 to 2020. He was also the chairperson of [[Public Accounts Committee (India)|Public Accounts Committee]] in the [[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]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> Under his presidency, the Congress gained 47 seats in the [[2024 Indian general election]], forming the official opposition for the first time since its defeat in 2014.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> He is a close ally of the [[Nehru–Gandhi family|Nehru-Gandhi family]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>


==Early life and background==
==Early life and background==
Mallikarjun Kharge was born in the Varawatti, Bhalki Taluk, [[Bidar district]], [[Karnataka]] to Mapanna Kharge and Sabavva.<ref name=about/> 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.<ref name=about/> 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.<ref name=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}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mallikarjun Kharge |url=https://indianexpress.com/about/mallikarjun-kharge/ |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
 
In 1948, Kharge lost his mother and sister in a fire set off by the [[Razakars (Hyderabad)|Razakars]] of the [[Nizam of Hyderabad]], while he himself had a narrow escape at the age of 7.<ref name=":1">{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name=about/> 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.<ref name=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}}</ref>


==Political career==
==Political career==
===Early 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 [[List of leaders of the opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly|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 started his political career as a student union leader while in the Government College, Gulbarga when he was elected as the General Secretary of the students' body. In 1969, he became the legal advisor to the MSK Mills Employees' Union. He was also an influential labour union leader of Samyukta Majdoor Sangha and led many agitations fighting for the rights of labourers.<ref>{{cite news
  |newspaper = Indian Express
  |title = Friends, teachers laud Kharge
  |url = http://newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/article123735.ece
  }}</ref> In 1969, he joined the Indian National Congress and became President of the Gulbarga City Congress Committee


===Rise in Karnataka's political scene===
Kharge was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 2009 the general election from Gulbarga. This was his tenth consecutive election victory.<ref name="win">{{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 }}</ref>
He first contested the Karnataka State Assembly elections in 1972 and won from [[Gurmitkal (Vidhana Sabha constituency)|Gurmitkal]] constituency. In 1973, he was appointed the Chairman of the Octroi Abolition Committee which went into the question of revitalising the economy of the municipal and civic bodies in the state of Karnataka. Based on its report, the then [[Devaraj Urs]] government abolished the levy of octroi at multiple points.<ref name=octroi>{{cite news|title=Kharge on octroi during 1973 period|url=http://www.hindu.com/2001/08/22/stories/0422210o.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607000150/http://www.hindu.com/2001/08/22/stories/0422210o.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 June 2014|access-date=5 June 2014|work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> In 1974, he was appointed the Chairman of state-owned Leather Development Corporation and worked to improve the living conditions of thousands of cobblers who were indulging in the leather tanning industry. Work sheds cum residences were built across the state for their benefit during this time. In 1976, he was appointed the Minister of State for Primary Education, during which time, over 16,000 backlog vacancies of SC/STs teachers were filled up by recruiting them directly into the service. Grants under grant-in-aid code were given to schools run by SC/ST managements for the first time.<ref name=work>{{cite web|title=Early political career|url=http://dpal.kar.nic.in/pdf_files/25%20of%201974%20(E).pdf|website=Department of Parliamentary Affairs & Legislation|access-date=5 June 2014}}</ref>


In 1978, he was elected for the second time as MLA from [[Gurmitkal (Vidhana Sabha constituency)|Gurmitkal]] constituency and was appointed Minister of State for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj in the Devaraj Urs ministry. In 1980, he became the Minister for Revenue in the [[Gundu Rao]] Cabinet. During this time, the focus was on effective land reforms, resulting in giving occupancy rights to millions of land-less tillers and labourers. More than 400 land tribunals were constituted to expedite the transfer of land rights to the tillers.<ref name="early work">{{cite web|title=Kharge as Chairman of State-owned Leather Development Corporation|url=http://agkar.cag.gov.in/sites/agkar.cag.gov.in/files/WEBFM/auditreport/2013/English%20PSU%202013.pdf|website=cag.gov.in|publisher=Indian Audit and Accounts Department|access-date=5 June 2014}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 1983, he was elected for the third time to the Karnataka Assembly from Gurmitkal. In 1985, he was elected for the fourth time to the Karnataka Assembly from Gurmitkal and was appointed the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly.
In the 2014 general elections, Kharge was elected from Gulbarga, beating Revunaik Belamagih from the BJP with a margin of 13,404 votes.<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref name=":3">{{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 }}</ref> In June, he was appointed the Leader of the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] party in the Lok Sabha.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>


In 1989, he was elected for the fifth time to the Karnataka Assembly from Gurmitkal. In 1990, he joined [[Bangarappa]]’s Cabinet as the Minister for Revenue, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, portfolios he had held earlier and brought about significant change. Restarting the Land Reforms process that had stopped in the interim, resulted in hundreds of thousands of acres of land being registered in the name of the landless tillers.<ref name=perfromance>{{cite web|title=Kharge performance in Karnataka|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/SR_KeyHighLights/SE_1989/Statistical_Report_karnataka_1989.pdf|website=Election Commission of India|access-date=5 June 2014}}</ref>
In the 2019 general elections, Kharge contested from the same parliamentary seat, however this time he lost to [[Umesh. G. Jadhav|Umesh G. Jadhav]] from the BJP with a margin of 95,452 votes.<ref name=":3" />


Between 1992 and 1994, he was the Minister for Co-operation, Medium and Large Industries in the [[Veerappa Moily]] Cabinet. In 1994, he was elected for the sixth time to the Karnataka Assembly from [[Gurmitkal (Vidhana Sabha constituency)|Gurmitkal]] and became the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly. In 1999, he was elected for the seventh time to the Karnataka Assembly and was a front-runner to the post of Chief Minister of Karnataka. He became Minister for Home in the [[S. M. Krishna]] Cabinet during a particularly trying time for Karnataka especially the [[Dr. Rajkumar|Rajkumar]] kidnap by the notorious poacher [[Veerappan]] and the Cauvery Riots. In 2004, he was elected for the eighth consecutive time to the Karnataka Assembly and was once again considered a front-runner to the post of the Chief Minister of Karnataka. He became the Minister for Transport and Water Resources in the [[Dharam Singh]]-led coalition government.
On 12 June 2020 Kharge was elected (unopposed) to the [[Rajya Sabha]] from Karnataka, at the age of 78 years.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> On 12 February 2021, Kharge was appointed [[Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha|Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>


In 2005, he was appointed the President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee. In the Panchayat elections held soon after, Congress won the largest number of seats compared to BJP and JD(S) indicating a revival of the Congress fortunes in the rural areas of Karnataka.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper = Indian Express|title = Congress scores big win in local polls|url = http://www.indianexpress.com/oldStory/84817/}}</ref> In 2008, he was elected for the record ninth consecutive time to the Assembly from [[Chittapur (Vidhana Sabha constituency)|Chitapur]]. Though the Congress party put up a better show when compared to the 2004 elections, the Congress lost the elections with a majority of the senior leaders losing. He was appointed the Leader of the Opposition for the second time in 2008. In 2009, Kharge contested the general elections from Gulbarga Parliamentary Constituency and won his tenth consecutive election.<ref name=win>{{cite news|last1=Phukan|first1=Sandip|title=Mallikarjun Kharge consecutive win|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/mallikarjun-kharge-not-rahul-gandhi-to-lead-congress-in-lok-sabha-534829|access-date=5 June 2014|work=NDTV|date=3 June 2014}}</ref>
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.<ref name=":0">{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0" />


In the 2014 general elections, Kharge contested and won from the Gulbarga parliamentary seat, beating his closest rival from the BJP by over 73,000 votes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gulbarga(Karnataka) Lok Sabha Election Results 2019 -Gulbarga Parliamentary Constituency, Winning MP and Party Name |url=http://www.elections.in/karnataka/parliamentary-constituencies/gulbarga.html |website=www.elections.in |access-date=12 February 2021}}</ref> In June, he was appointed the Leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
He is known for his record of defeating all his opposition candidates in his lifetime career except one.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> In 2023, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from [[Lokmat]]'s Parliamentary Awards.<ref>{{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}}</ref>


Kharge contested the [[2019 Indian general election|2019 general elections]] against [[Umesh. G. Jadhav]], a BJP candidate, in [[Gulbarga (Lok Sabha constituency)|Gulbarga Lok Sabha constituency]] of [[Karnataka]]. Jadhav defeated Mallikarjun Kharge by a margin of 95,452 votes. Jadhav polled 6,20,192 votes while Kharge got only 5,24,740 votes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/elections/article/shocking-congress-leader-mallikarjun-kharge-defeated-by-bjp-s-umesh-jadhav-in-gulbarga/423853|title=Shocking! Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge defeated by BJP's Umesh Jadhav in Gulbarga election results 2019|work=Times Now|date=23 May 2019|access-date=23 May 2019}}</ref>
===President of the Indian National Congress===


On 12 June 2020 Kharge was elected (unopposed) to the [[Rajya Sabha]] from Karnataka, at the age of 78 years.<ref>{{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}}</ref>  
On 1 October 2022, he filed nominations to contest the [[2022 Indian National Congress presidential election|INC party presidential polls]] and won with 7897 votes.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> He was the first INC President not from the [[Nehru-Gandhi family|Gandhi family]] in 24 years.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> He was 61st person to hold the post and 98th president of the party.<ref>[[Indian National Congress]]</ref> He was resigned as Leader of the Opposition in 1 October 2022 before nomination, but reinsisted in December 2022.<ref>https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/congress-chief-mallikarjun-kharge-to-continue-as-leader-of-opposition-in-rajya-sabha-2305132-2022-12-04</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref>


On 12 February 2021, Kharge was appointed [[Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha|Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>
==== 2024 general election ====
Kharge's name was proposed as the prime ministerial candidate of the [[Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance]] for the [[2024 Indian general election|2024 general election]]. The proposal was made by [[List of chief ministers of West Bengal|West Bengal chief minister]] [[Mamata Banerjee]] and was supported by [[List of chief ministers of Delhi|Delhi chief minister]] [[Arvind Kejriwal]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> However, other senior leaders of the alliance such as [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]] leader [[Lalu Prasad Yadav|Lalu Yadav]] disapproved the proposal.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> However, he was made chairman of alliance.<ref name="Kharge-Chairperson">{{Cite news|title=Kharge named INDIA bloc chairperson, Nitish Kumar turns down convener post|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mallikarjun-kharge-named-india-bloc-chairperson-nitish-kumar-gets-key-role-101705134298747.html|website=Hindustan Times|date=13 January 2024|access-date=13 January 2024|archive-date=13 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113095143/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mallikarjun-kharge-named-india-bloc-chairperson-nitish-kumar-gets-key-role-101705134298747.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Philanthropic and social activities==
== Electoral performances ==
He is the Founder-Chairman of Siddharth Vihar Trust that has built the Buddha Vihar in Gulbarga, India.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Buddha vihar Gulbarga|title = About Buddha Vihar, Gulbarga|url=http://www.buddhavihar.org/about.html}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Election
!colspan="2"|Party
!Constituency
!Result
!Votes gained
!Vote share%
!Margin
!Ref
|-
|[[1972 Mysore Legislative Assembly election|1972]]
|[[Mysore Legislative Assembly]]
| rowspan="12" style="background-color: {{party color|Indian National Congress}}" |
| rowspan="12" |[[Indian National Congress|INC]]&nbsp;
|rowspan=9|[[Gurmitkal Assembly constituency|Gurmitkal]]
|{{Won}}
|16,796
|62.68%%
|9,440
|<ref name=election1972>{{cite web |url=https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3775-karnataka-1972/ |title=Mysore Legislative Assembly Election, 1972 |publisher=[[Election Commission of India]] |website=eci.gov.in |access-date=10 April 2023 |url-access=limited |archive-date=17 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317190937/https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3775-karnataka-1972/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|1978
|[[Karnataka Legislative Assembly]]
|{{Won}}
|30,380
|64.99%
|16,599
|<ref name=election1978>{{cite web |url=https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3776-karnataka-1978/ |title=Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1978 |publisher=[[Election Commission of India]] |website=eci.gov.in |access-date=30 October 2022 |url-access=limited |archive-date=17 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317193101/https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3776-karnataka-1978/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|1983
|[[Karnataka Legislative Assembly]]
|{{Won}}
|30,933
|67.65%
|16,143
|<ref name=election1983>{{cite web |url=https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3777-karnataka-1983/ |title=Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1983 |publisher=[[Election Commission of India]] |website=eci.gov.in |access-date=30 October 2022 |url-access=limited}}</ref>
|-
|1985
|[[Karnataka Legislative Assembly]]
|{{Won}}
|32,669
|66%
|17,673
|<ref name=election1985>{{cite web |url=https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3778-karnataka-1985/ |title=Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1985 |publisher=[[Election Commission of India]] |website=eci.gov.in |access-date=30 October 2022 |url-access=limited}}</ref>
|-
|1989
|[[Karnataka Legislative Assembly]]
|{{Won}}
|39,608
|64.23%
|19,969
|<ref name=election1989>{{cite web |url=https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3779-karnataka-1989/ |title=Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1989 |publisher=[[Election Commission of India]] |website=eci.gov.in |access-date=30 October 2022 |url-access=limited |archive-date=17 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317133624/https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3779-karnataka-1989/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|1994
|[[Karnataka Legislative Assembly]]
|{{Won}}
|42,588
|58.76%
|19,336
|<ref name=election1994>{{cite web |url=https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3780-karnataka-1994/ |title=Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1994 |publisher=[[Election Commission of India]] |website=eci.gov.in |access-date=30 October 2022 |url-access=limited}}</ref>
|-
|1999
|[[Karnataka Legislative Assembly]]
|{{Won}}
|54,569
|76.76%
|47,124
|<ref name=election1999>{{cite web |url=https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3781-karnataka-1999/ |title=Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1999 |publisher=[[Election Commission of India]] |website=eci.gov.in |access-date=2 June 2023 |url-access=limited}}</ref>
|-
|2004
|[[Karnataka Legislative Assembly]]
|{{Won}}
|37,006
|45.99%
|18,547
|<ref name=election2004>{{cite web |url=https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3782-karnataka-2004/ |title=Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 2004 |publisher=[[Election Commission of India]] |website=eci.gov.in |access-date=7 September 2021 |url-access=limited |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112142921/https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3782-karnataka-2004/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|2008
|[[Karnataka Legislative Assembly]]
|{{Won}}
|49,837
|52.13%
|17,442
|<ref name=election2008>{{cite web |url=https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3783-karnataka-2008/ |title=Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election - 2008 |publisher=[[Election Commission of India]] |website=eci.gov.in |access-date=7 September 2021 |url-access=limited |archive-date=17 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317132435/https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3783-karnataka-2008/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|[[2009 Indian general election|2009]]
|[[15th Lok Sabha]]
|rowspan=3|[[Gulbarga Lok Sabha constituency|Gulbarga]]
|{{Won}}
|3,45,241
|45.46%
|13,404
|<ref name=election2009>{{cite web |url=https://old.eci.gov.in/files/category/98-general-election-2009/ |title=General Election 2009 |publisher=[[Election Commission of India]] |access-date=22 October 2021 |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112220034/https://old.eci.gov.in/files/category/98-general-election-2009/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|[[2014 Indian general election|2014]]
|[[16th Lok Sabha]]
|{{Won}}
|5,07,193
|50.83%
|74,733
|<ref name=election2014>{{cite web |url=https://www.eci.gov.in/files/file/2857-constituency-wise-detailed-result/ |title=General Election 2014 |publisher=[[Election Commission of India]] |access-date=22 October 2021 |archive-date=6 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006055629/https://eci.gov.in/files/file/2857-constituency-wise-detailed-result/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|[[2019 Indian general election|2019]]
|[[17th Lok Sabha]]
|{{lost}}
|5,24,740
|44.08%
|95,452
|<ref name=election2019>{{cite web |url=https://old.eci.gov.in/files/category/1551-general-election-2019-including-vellore-pc/ |title=General Election 2019 |publisher=[[Election Commission of India]] |access-date= 22 October 2021}}</ref>
|-
|}


He is the Patron of [[Chowdiah Memorial Hall]] which is one of the premier concert and theatre venues in Bangalore and helped the centre get over its debts and aided the centre's plans for renovation.<ref>{{cite news|title=A grand bow to the arts|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/07/01/stories/2005070103420300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127183920/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/07/01/stories/2005070103420300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 January 2011|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=1 July 2005}}</ref>
==Positions held==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Description
|-
| 1972–1978
| Elected to [[Karnataka Legislative Assembly|5th Mysore Assembly]] (1st Term)
* Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education {{small|(1976-1978)}}
|-
| 1978–1983
| Elected to [[Karnataka Legislative Assembly|6th Karnataka Assembly]] (2nd Term)
* Cabinet Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj {{small|(1979-1980)}}
* Cabinet Minister for Revenue {{small|(1980-83)}}
|-
| 1983–1985
| Elected to [[Karnataka Legislative Assembly|7th Karnataka Assembly]] (3rd Term)
* Secretary, Congress Legislature Party
|-
| 1985–1989
| Elected to [[Karnataka Legislative Assembly|8th Karnataka Assembly]] (4th Term)
* Deputy Leader of Opposition
|-
| 1989–1994
| Elected to [[Karnataka Legislative Assembly|9th Karnataka Assembly]] (5th Term)
* Cabinet Minister for Revenue, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj {{small|(1990-1992)}}
* Cabinet Minister for Co-operation, Medium and Large Industries {{small|(1992-1994)}}
|-
| 1994–1999
| Elected to [[Karnataka Legislative Assembly|10th Karnataka Assembly]] (6th Term)
* Leader of Opposition {{small|(1996-99)}}
|-
| 1999–2004
| Elected to [[Karnataka Legislative Assembly|11th Karnataka Assembly]] (7th Term)
* Cabinet Minister for Home, Infrastructure Development and Minor Irrigation {{small|(1999-2004)}}
|-
| 2004–2008
| Elected to [[Karnataka Legislative Assembly|12th Karnataka Assembly]] (8th Term)
* Cabinet Minister for Water Resources and Transport {{small|(2004-2006)}}
|-
| 2008–2009
| Elected to [[Karnataka Legislative Assembly|13th Karnataka Assembly]] (9th Term)
* Leader of Opposition {{small|(2008-2009)}}
|-
| 2009–2014
| Elected to [[15th Lok Sabha]] (1st Term)
* [[Ministry of Labour and Employment (India)|Union Minister of Labour and Employment]] {{small|(28 May 2009 – 17 June 2013)}}
* [[Ministry of Railways (India)|Union Minister of Railways]] {{small|(17 June 2013 – 26 May 2014)}}
* [[Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment|Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment]] {{small|(28 January 2014 – 26 May 2014)}}
|-
| 2014–2019
| Elected to [[16th Lok Sabha]] (2nd Term)
* Leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party
* Member, Business Advisory Committee {{small|(2014–2019)}}
* Member, Standing Committee on Home Affairs {{small|(2014–2019)}}
* Member, Joint Parliamentary Committee on Maintenance of Heritage Character and Development of Parliament House Complex {{small|(2014–2019)}}
* Member of National Committee (NC) for commemorating the 125th Birth Anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru {{small|(2014–2019)}}
* Member, General Purposes Committee {{small|(2015–2019)}}
* Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Defence {{small|(2015–2019)}}
* Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee {{small|(2017–2019)}}
* Member, Committee on Budget of Lok Sabha {{small|(2017–2019)}}
|-
| 2020–Present
| Elected to [[Rajya Sabha]] (1st Term)
* [[Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha|Leader of the Opposition, Rajya Sabha]] {{small|(2021-Present)}}
* [[List of presidents of the Indian National Congress|President of the Indian National Congress]] {{small|(2022-Present)}}
|}


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Kharge married Radhabai on 13 May 1968 and has two daughters and three sons.<ref name=about>{{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}}</ref><ref name=personal>{{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=bot: unknown |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 }}</ref> In 2006, Kharge said he follows [[Buddhism]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Hundreds embrace Buddhism in Gulbarga {{!}} Bengaluru News – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Hundreds-embrace-Buddhism-in-Gulbarga/articleshow/2171942.cms?referral=PM&from=mdr |access-date=9 December 2019 |work=The Times of India |date=15 October 2006 |language=en}}</ref>
Kharge married Radhabai on 13 May 1968; they have 2 daughters and 3 sons.<ref name=about>{{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}}</ref><ref name=personal>{{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 }}</ref> Kharge is a polyglot and can speak English, Hindi, Urdu, Kannada, Telugu and Marathi.<ref name=":2">{{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 }}</ref> His son [[Priyank Kharge]] is an MLA from the [[Chittapur Assembly constituency|Chittapur assembly constituency]],<ref name=":1" /> and his son-in-law [[Radhakrishna (politician)|Radhakrishna]] is an MP from Gulbarga Lok Sabha constituency, Kharge's former seat in the Lok Sabha.
 
He is a [[Buddhists|Buddhist]] and the Founder-Chairman of Siddharth Vihar Trust that has built the [[Buddha Vihar, Kalaburagi|Buddha Vihar in Gulbarga]], India.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Files |first=The Hindu |date=2024-05-23 |title=Kharge calls upon scholars to unearth hidden history of Buddhism to enlighten next generation |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/kharge-calls-upon-scholars-to-unearth-hidden-history-of-buddhism-to-enlighten-next-generation/article68208004.ece |access-date=2026-01-18 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=“Baseless and wrong”, Buddhist monks on Kharge’s remark questioning Modi’s faith |url=https://ddnews.gov.in/en/baseless-and-wrong-buddhist-monks-on-kharges-remark-questioning-modis-faith/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250517015858/https://ddnews.gov.in/en/baseless-and-wrong-buddhist-monks-on-kharges-remark-questioning-modis-faith/ |archive-date=2025-05-17 |access-date=2026-01-18 |website=ddnews.gov.in |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
 
== See also ==
* [[List of Jatav|List of Jatavs]]
* [[List of presidents of the Indian National Congress]]
* [[2022 Indian National Congress presidential election]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{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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Latest revision as of 12:31, 27 March 2026


Mallikarjun Kharge
Kharge in 2014
President of the Indian National Congress
Assumed office
26 October 2022
Preceded bySonia Gandhi (interim)
Chairman of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance
Assumed office
13 January 2024
Preceded byOffice established
14th Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha
Assumed office
16 February 2021
DeputyAnand Sharma
Pramod Tiwari
ChairmanVenkaiah Naidu
Jagdeep Dhankhar
C. P. Radhakrishnan
Preceded byGhulam Nabi Azad
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
Assumed office
12 June 2020
Preceded byRajeev Gowda
ConstituencyKarnataka
Personal details
Born
Mapanna Mallikarjun Kharge

(1942-07-21) 21 July 1942 (age 84)
Warwatti, Hyderabad State, British India
NationalityIndian
Political partyIndian National Congress
Spouse(s)
Radhabai Kharge
(
m. 1968)
Children5 (including Priyank Kharge)
Residence10, Rajaji Marg, New Delhi
Alma mater
Occupation

Mallikarjun Mapanna Kharge (kn; born 21 July 1942) is an Indian politician and lawyer 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, in charge for Maharashtra, from 2018 to 2020. He was also the chairperson of Public Accounts Committee in the 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.[1] Under his presidency, the Congress gained 47 seats in the 2024 Indian general election, forming the official opposition for the first time since its defeat in 2014.[2][3] He is a close ally of the Nehru-Gandhi family.[4]

Early life and background[edit | edit source]

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.[5]

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.[6][7] 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.[8] 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.[9]

Political career[edit | edit source]

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.[10]

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

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.[12]

On 12 June 2020 Kharge was elected (unopposed) to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka, at the age of 78 years.[14] On 12 February 2021, Kharge was appointed Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha.[15]

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.[16] 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.[16]

He is known for his record of defeating all his opposition candidates in his lifetime career except one.[17] In 2023, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Lokmat's Parliamentary Awards.[18]

President of the Indian National Congress[edit | edit source]

On 1 October 2022, he filed nominations to contest the INC party presidential polls and won with 7897 votes.[19] He was the first INC President not from the Gandhi family in 24 years.[20] He was 61st person to hold the post and 98th president of the party.[21] He was resigned as Leader of the Opposition in 1 October 2022 before nomination, but reinsisted in December 2022.[22] 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.[23][24][25][26] 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.[27]

2024 general election[edit | edit source]

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.[28] However, other senior leaders of the alliance such as Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Yadav disapproved the proposal.[29] However, he was made chairman of alliance.[30]

Electoral performances[edit | edit source]

Year Election Party Constituency Result Votes gained Vote share% Margin Ref
1972 Mysore Legislative Assembly INC  Gurmitkal Won 16,796 62.68%% 9,440 [31]
1978 Karnataka Legislative Assembly Won 30,380 64.99% 16,599 [32]
1983 Karnataka Legislative Assembly Won 30,933 67.65% 16,143 [33]
1985 Karnataka Legislative Assembly Won 32,669 66% 17,673 [34]
1989 Karnataka Legislative Assembly Won 39,608 64.23% 19,969 [35]
1994 Karnataka Legislative Assembly Won 42,588 58.76% 19,336 [36]
1999 Karnataka Legislative Assembly Won 54,569 76.76% 47,124 [37]
2004 Karnataka Legislative Assembly Won 37,006 45.99% 18,547 [38]
2008 Karnataka Legislative Assembly Won 49,837 52.13% 17,442 [39]
2009 15th Lok Sabha Gulbarga Won 3,45,241 45.46% 13,404 [40]
2014 16th Lok Sabha Won 5,07,193 50.83% 74,733 [41]
2019 17th Lok Sabha Lost 5,24,740 44.08% 95,452 [42]

Positions held[edit | edit source]

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)
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[edit | edit source]

Kharge married Radhabai on 13 May 1968; they have 2 daughters and 3 sons.[8][43] Kharge is a polyglot and can speak English, Hindi, Urdu, Kannada, Telugu and Marathi.[44] His son Priyank Kharge is an MLA from the Chittapur assembly constituency,[6] and his son-in-law Radhakrishna is an MP from Gulbarga Lok Sabha constituency, Kharge's former seat in the Lok Sabha.

He is a Buddhist and the Founder-Chairman of Siddharth Vihar Trust that has built the Buddha Vihar in Gulbarga, India.[45][46][47] 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.[48]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  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. ↑ Qureshi, Imran (19 October 2022). "Mallikarjun Kharge: Can a non-Gandhi Congress chief take on Modi?". Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  5. ↑ "Mallikarjun Kharge". The Indian Express. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "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.
  7. ↑ "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.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Detailed Profile". Government of India. Archived from the original on 17 July 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  9. ↑ "Early life of Kharge". Press Journal Kharge. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  10. ↑ Phukan, Sandip (3 June 2014). "Mallikarjun Kharge consecutive win". NDTV. Archived from the original on 4 June 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  11. ↑ "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.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Gulbarga SC Election Results". www.elections.in. Archived from the original on 30 October 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  13. ↑ "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.
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. ↑ "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.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "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.
  17. ↑ "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.
  18. ↑ "Lokmat Parliamentary Award". Lokmat. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  19. ↑ "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.
  20. ↑ "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.
  21. ↑ Indian National Congress
  22. ↑ https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/congress-chief-mallikarjun-kharge-to-continue-as-leader-of-opposition-in-rajya-sabha-2305132-2022-12-04
  23. ↑ "Congress Wins Himachal, Race Begins For Chief Minister's Chair: 10 Points". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  24. ↑ "Hemant Soren poised to form government in Jharkhand for second time". ddnews.gov.in. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  25. ↑ Reddy, R. Ravikanth (3 December 2023). "Telangana Assembly election results 2023 | Congress breaks Bharat Rashtra Samithi's decade-long hold over Telangana with big wins". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  26. ↑ "Decisive wins: The Hindu Editorial on M.P., Rajasthan, Telangana and Chhattisgarh Assembly election results". The Hindu. 3 December 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  27. ↑ "Congress opts out of Omar Abdullah's government in J&K". Hindustan Times. 16 October 2024.
  28. ↑ 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.
  29. ↑ "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.
  30. ↑ "Kharge named INDIA bloc chairperson, Nitish Kumar turns down convener post". Hindustan Times. 13 January 2024. Archived from the original on 13 January 2024. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  31. ↑ "Mysore Legislative Assembly Election, 1972". eci.gov.in. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  32. ↑ "Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1978". eci.gov.in. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  33. ↑ "Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1983". eci.gov.in. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  34. ↑ "Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1985". eci.gov.in. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  35. ↑ "Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1989". eci.gov.in. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  36. ↑ "Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1994". eci.gov.in. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  37. ↑ "Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 1999". eci.gov.in. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  38. ↑ "Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election, 2004". eci.gov.in. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 12 January 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  39. ↑ "Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election - 2008". eci.gov.in. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  40. ↑ "General Election 2009". Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 12 January 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  41. ↑ "General Election 2014". Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  42. ↑ "General Election 2019". Election Commission of India. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  43. ↑ "Personal life of Mallikarjun Kharge". Business Standard. 3 June 2014. Archived from the original on 3 June 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  44. ↑ "Mallikarjun Kharge takes the Congress reins". India Today. 21 October 2022. Archived from the original on 30 October 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  45. ↑ Files, The Hindu (23 May 2024). "Kharge calls upon scholars to unearth hidden history of Buddhism to enlighten next generation". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
  46. ↑ ""Baseless and wrong", Buddhist monks on Kharge's remark questioning Modi's faith". ddnews.gov.in. Archived from the original on 17 May 2025. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
  47. ↑ "About Buddha Vihar, Gulbarga". Buddha vihar Gulbarga. Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  48. ↑ "A grand bow to the arts". The Hindu. 1 July 2005. Archived from the original on 27 January 2011.

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