Mallikarjun Kharge victory could unite faction-ridden Karnataka Congress

BENGALURU: Karnataka Congress unit members who are supporters of Mallikarjun Kharge see his candidature for the All-India Congress Committee president elections as a huge opportunity to forge unity in the factionridden party ahead of the assembly elections.
Senior functionaries point out that different camps have joined hands to back Kharge and insist that the elections are a process of going through the formalities and that he will win against Shashi Tharoor.
They say that rebels, identified as ‘the G-23’, had come together to support Kharge is the first positive step as members of the ginger group, including Bhupinder Hooda and Anand Singh, had proposed Kharge’s nomination. This, they say, suggests that they will end dissidence if he takes over as party president. Ashok Gehlot and Digvijaya Singh, among those who were expected to contest, are also not opposed to Kharge’s candidature.
“Even Tharoor said the polls will be a friendly contest,” said UB Venkatesh, senior MLC and an aide of Kharge. “This shows how well Kharge is accepted and respected by all in the party. While we are confident of his victory, his elevation to the party president post will automatically solve the problem of dissidence.”
If Kharge wins, it is expected to have considerable impact on politics in Karnataka, where assembly polls are due in April-May. Kharge, if he wins, will be only the second politician from Karnataka to reach the top position in Congress and the state unit of the party will undoubtedly flaunt the ‘Kannadiga pride’ factor in the polls. The party will also likely to highlight Kharge’s distinction as the second Dalit leader to be AICC president.
“A victory for Kharge will be a big boost for us in Karnataka,” said Eshwar Khandre, KPCC working president. “The situation looks favourable for him, with senior leaders coming together to support him.”
A victory for Kharge is also expected to iron out differences – between KPCC president DK Shivakumar and opposition leader Siddaramaiah – in the state unit of Congress too. However, while Kharge’s is expected to take the situation under control, there are also concerns that his potential elevation may give rise to a third camp in Karnataka Congress.
But Kharge, on Sunday, dismissed this saying: “We cannot afford to have disunity. All should realise that strengthening this party will make us strong. Unity in the party is in the interests of Karnataka and the country. There are no factions in the Karnataka unit as such. We will all work together.”
Aides say Kharge will arrive in Bengaluru on Monday or Tuesday and he will launch his poll campaign from Karnataka with the objective of sending a political message to the brass of the state unit.