New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, who hails from a non-Gandhi family, has taken over as the party president. For the first time in 24 years, a non-Gandhi family has taken over as congress president. Kharge took charge as congress president today after winning the election. The ceremony was held at the AICC headquarters in Delhi. All the senior leaders and functionaries of the office were present. On this occasion, Congress president Sonia Gandhi handed over the election certificate to Kharge.

However, before taking charge today, he went to Rajghat and paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. The programme then began when Kharge reached the AICC headquarters at the scheduled time.

80-year-old Mallikarjun Kharge is a senior leader of the Congress party and a trusted leader of the Gandhi family. He has held many important responsibilities in the team. He has not been embroiled in any controversy so far because of his thoughtful thinking and calmness in politics. His face is clear. Kharge becoming Congress president as a Dalit face could be an advantage for the party in the 2023 Karnataka elections. Now that he is the Congress president, Kharge’s main aim will be to restructure the party and chalk out the election strategy for 2024.  

Kharge, 80, who belongs to the Dalit community, had defeated his rival Shashi Tharoor, 66, in the party’s historic election held on October 17. The election to the post of president was held for the sixth time in the party’s 137-year history. For the first time in 24 years, a non-Gandhi family member has become the president of the Congress.

Kharge thanked all Congress workers, including Sonia Gandhi, after taking over as congress president. “Today, the son of a labourer has been appointed as the president of the Congress worker party. So, from my work and my experience, I promise you that I will do my best for the rise of the party. That’s my promise. “I am thankful to all the Congress workers for choosing me as congress president,” Kharge said. Thanking Sonia, Kharge said the UPA government was formed twice under her leadership. Kharge cited examples of the best laws like MNREGA, Food Security Act and Right to Information Act and lauded the party’s noble work.