Veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday formally took charge as the Congress president.
The Former Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha was handed over the certificate of election at an event at the Congress headquarters in Delhi.
The 80-year-old leader won the Congress presidential election against senior leader Shashi Tharoor on October 19. Kharge received 7,897 of the 9,385 votes polled, while Tharoor got 1,072 votes.
The senior Dalit politician Kharge is the first non-Gandhi president of the party in over two decades. He is also the third Dalit leader to become the Congress president in the party’s 138-year-old history.
Speaking as the chief of the party 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.”
He went on to say: “I started this journey in 1969 as a block committee chief today you have taken it such heights. It’s my privilege and party to take forward the legacy of Congress, a party which has been guided by the likes of Mahatama Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.”
“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, fight inflation, unemployment and hunger,” Kharge said.
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.”
