On October 19, 2022, Mallikarjun Kharge became the President of the Indian National Congress, a major political party in India. His life is a story of struggle, determination, and service to the nation. Born in a small village, he faced many challenges but rose to become a respected leader. This article tells the story of Mallikarjun Kharge, a man who worked hard to serve his people and country. His journey inspires many, especially those from humble backgrounds.
Early Life And Family
Mallikarjun Kharge was born on July 21, 1942, in Varawatti village in Karnataka’s Bidar district. His family was poor and belonged to the Dalit community. Life was tough for them. They faced social and economic hardships. When Kharge was just seven years old, a tragic event changed his life. In 1948, his village was attacked during communal riots. His mother and sister died in a fire set by attackers. Young Kharge narrowly escaped. This painful memory stayed with him. His family moved to Gulbarga (now Kalaburagi) to start a new life. Despite these struggles, Kharge stayed strong and focused on his dreams.
Education was important to Kharge. He studied hard despite his family’s poverty. He went to Nutan Vidyalaya school in Gulbarga. Later, he joined Government College, Gulbarga, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He did not stop there. He studied law at Seth Shankarlal Lahoti Law College in Gulbarga. After becoming a lawyer, he worked under Justice Shivraj Patil. Kharge fought cases for workers and labor unions. He cared about helping poor workers. His work as a lawyer showed his love for justice and equality.
Mallikarjun Kharge Age, Wiki, Biography, Religion, Wife, Daughter, Son
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mallikarjun Kharge |
| Date of Birth | July 21, 1942 |
| Place of Birth | Varawatti village, Bidar district, Karnataka, India |
| Family Background | Born to a poor Dalit family; lost mother and sister in 1948 riots |
| Education | B.A. from Government College, Gulbarga; Law degree from Seth Shankarlal Lahoti Law College, Gulbarga |
| Early Career | Practiced law; represented workers and labor unions |
| Political Start | Joined Indian National Congress in 1969; became President of Gulbarga City Congress Committee |
| State Politics | MLA from Gurmitkal (1972–2008, elected 9 times); MLA from Chittapur (2008) |
| Key Roles in Karnataka | Held ministerial portfolios (Home, Revenue, etc.); Leader of Opposition (1996–1999); Karnataka Congress President (2005) |
| National Politics | MP from Gulbarga in Lok Sabha (2009, 2014); lost Lok Sabha election in 2019 |
| Union Minister Roles | Minister of Labour and Employment; Minister of Railways (2009–2014) |
| Rajya Sabha | Elected to Rajya Sabha from Karnataka (2020); Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha (2021) |
| Congress Presidency | Elected INC President on October 19, 2022; first non-Gandhi Congress President in 24 years |
| Other Leadership | Appointed Chairman of the INDIA Alliance (2024) |
| Personal Life | Married to Radhabai (since 1968); 2 daughters, 3 sons; son Priyank Kharge is Karnataka cabinet minister |
| Religion | Follows Buddhism (publicly announced in 2006) |
| Languages Known | English, Hindi, Urdu, Kannada, Telugu, Marathi |
| Notable Contributions | Founder-Chairman of Siddharth Vihar Trust; established Buddha Vihar in Gulbarga |
| Awards | Lifetime Achievement Award, Lokmat Parliamentary Awards (2023) |
| Hobbies | Reading, sports, promotion of culture (supporter of Chowdiah Memorial Hall and similar institutions) |
| Major Achievements | Won 10 consecutive elections; prominent Dalit leader; known for legislative and organizational experience |
| Religion | Hinduism |
Political Journey
Kharge’s political journey began when he was young. As a student, he was active in college politics. He became the General Secretary of the Students’ Union at Government Arts and Science College, Gulbarga, from 1964 to 1965. This was his first step into leadership. In 1969, he joined the Indian National Congress (INC). He started as the President of the Gulbarga City Congress Committee. His hard work and dedication made him popular. People saw him as a leader who cared about their problems.
In 1972, Kharge entered state politics. He won the election to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Gurmitkal constituency. This was the start of a long political career. He won this seat nine times in a row from 1972 to 2008. Later, he won from Chittapur constituency in 2008. Kharge worked as a minister in Karnataka’s government. He handled important roles like Home, Revenue, and other departments. He served under chief ministers like S.M. Krishna, Veerappa Moily, and others. His work helped improve schools, roads, and hospitals in Karnataka.
Kharge was known for his honesty and hard work. From 1996 to 1999, he was the Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. He spoke strongly for the rights of workers and farmers. In 2005, he became the President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee. He led the Congress party in the 2008 Karnataka elections. Under his leadership, the party won more seats. People trusted him because he understood their struggles.
Union Minister Roles
In 2009, Kharge moved to national politics. He won the Lok Sabha election from Gulbarga, Karnataka. He won again in 2014. In the central government, he served as the Minister of Labour and Employment. Later, he became the Minister of Railways. He worked to make trains safer and better for passengers. His speeches in Parliament were powerful. He spoke about workers’ rights and social justice. In 2014, he became the Leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha. He worked hard to hold the government accountable.
In 2019, Kharge faced a setback. He lost the Lok Sabha election from Gulbarga. This was his first election loss in a long career. But Kharge did not give up. In 2020, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka. On February 12, 2021, he became the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. He continued to speak for the poor and marginalized. His leadership was respected by many.
Congress Presidency
In 2022, Kharge achieved a historic milestone. He was elected President of the Indian National Congress on October 19, 2022. He won with 7,897 votes. This was a big moment. He became the first non-Gandhi family member to lead the Congress party in 24 years. As president, he worked to unite the party. He traveled across India to strengthen the Congress. He also led the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) as its Chairman in 2024. His leadership gave hope to many party workers.
Personal Life
Kharge’s personal life is simple and inspiring. He married Radhabai on May 13, 1968. They have two daughters and three sons. One of his sons, Priyank Kharge, is also a politician. Priyank is a minister in the Karnataka government. Kharge’s son-in-law, Radhakrishna, is a Member of Parliament from Gulbarga. In 2006, Kharge announced he follows Buddhism. He is also the Founder-Chairman of the Siddharth Vihar Trust. This trust built the Buddha Vihar in Gulbarga to promote peace and culture.
Languages Known
Kharge is a man of many talents. He speaks six languages: English, Hindi, Urdu, Kannada, Telugu, and Marathi. He loves reading and thinking about new ideas. He also enjoys sports. His simple lifestyle and hard work make him a role model. He supports cultural centers like the Chowdiah Memorial Hall in Bangalore. He helped this center grow and clear its debts.
Major Achievements
Kharge’s life is full of achievements. In 2023, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Lokmat’s Parliamentary Awards. This award honored his long service to India. He is known for winning elections 10 times in a row. His only loss was in 2019. People admire his ability to connect with common people. He understands their pain because of his own struggles.
Kharge faced criticism too. Some said he could not solve internal problems in the Congress party. In states like Assam, Punjab, and Rajasthan, the party faced challenges. But Kharge worked hard to keep the party united. He focused on issues like caste census and workers’ rights. He wrote letters to the Prime Minister to demand fair policies. His speeches against injustice inspired many.
Life Lesson
Kharge’s journey is a lesson in courage. He came from a poor family. He lost his mother and sister in a tragedy. Yet, he never gave up. He studied hard, became a lawyer, and served his people. His rise from a small village to the President of the Congress party shows his strength. He fought for equality and justice all his life. His story tells us that hard work and honesty can overcome any challenge.
Today, Mallikarjun Kharge is a symbol of hope. He leads one of India’s oldest political parties. He works to make India better for everyone. His life teaches us to dream big, no matter where we come from. Young Indians look up to him. They see a man who turned pain into purpose. Kharge’s story will inspire people for years to come. His legacy is one of service, resilience, and leadership.