Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge with erstwhile chief Sonia Gandhi. (Express)Mallikarjun Kharge Wednesday took charge as the first non-Gandhi president of the Indian National Congress in nearly two and a half decades. Kharge secured the top post defeating party MP Shashi Tharoor by a huge margin at the presidential election held last week.
Addressing party workers as the chief for the first time, Kharge said, “It’s an emotional moment for me as the son of a labourer, a common Congress worker, has taken over as chief of the Congress party. I thank you all for this honour.”
“I started this journey in 1969 as a block committee chief today you have taken it such heights. It’s my privilege and pride to take forward the legacy of Congress, a party which has been guided by the likes of Mahatama Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru,” Kharge said.
“As president, it will be my utmost duty to look after our workers. Together, we will build an India that will be enlightened, empowered and equal for every citizen. We will uphold the Constitution of this country, respect everyone’s rights and give equal opportunities, defeat those who spread hate, and fight inflation, unemployment and hunger,” the party president added.
Speaking about the upcoming elections in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, Kharge said that people want change in these states. “We will have to show our party’s strength in these elections. If we all work hard and with dedication we will achieve success. We are the soldiers of Mahatma Gandhi, we are not scared of anyone. When a Congress worker will get rid of his fear, then even the biggest of kingdoms will be defeated.”
Congratulating Kharge, former president Sonia Gandhi said, “Congress presidency was a huge responsibility. I tried to discharge to my duties with sincerity.” She added. “I extend my heartiest congratulations to the newly elected president Mallikarjun Kharge. Change is the rule of the world… Congress had faced a lot of difficulties earlier as well. But I’m sure we will overcome the problems.”
Chairman of the Congress Central Election Authority, Madhusudan Mistry, handed over the election certificate to Kharge in the presence of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. Rahul is on a three-day break from his Bharat Jodo Yatra from October 24 to 26.
On Wednesday morning, Kharge visited Rajghat in Delhi to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who had bowed out of the presidential race, said today marked a “new beginning”. “Till the last minute, efforts were made to make Rahul Gandhi the party president as only he can challenge (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi and the government. Today is a new beginning. We congratulate Mallikarjun Kharge ji and will work to strengthen the party,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Ahead of the event, Kharge visited the residence of former prime minister Manmohan Singh to spend some time with him. According to news agency PTI, Kharge’s security personnel and workers made last-minute arrangements in the Congress president’s office and on the AICC headquarters lawns.
Kharge’s appointment comes with its fair share of challenges. The veteran leader must transform the party to reconnect with the people and start winning elections again. As many as 11 states will go to polls before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the biggest test before Kharge will be to power the party to victory in at least the major states.
He has also repeatedly said that party’s Udaipur Declaration is his main agenda. It has to be seen how far he manages to make the party implement resolutions such as enforcing a “one person, one post” rule, bringing in young faces (those under 50 years) into leadership positions, fixing accountability, the “one family, one-ticket” rule, and limiting the years a person can occupy a position to five years.