Mallikarjun Kharge receives Rajya Sabha election certificate, says it might be his last term in RS

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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge receiving his Rajya Sabha election certificate from the Returning Officer in Bengaluru on Friday. | Photo Credit: special arrangement

AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday received his certificate of election after being elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka for a second consecutive term. Speaking while signing the certificate, the veteran leader said this could mostly be his last term in the Upper House..

Mr. Kharge was welcomed by many including Ministers Sharan Prakash Patil, Eshwar Khandre and Yathindra Siddaramaiah, along with MLAs A.S. Ponnanna, Ashok Pattan, Narendra Swamy and other party leaders.

Senior Ministers, MLAs, and MLCs had gathered at the Vidhana Soudha to greet the AICC president. Several ministerial aspirants and leaders considered close to Mr. Kharge were also present and congratulated him on his re-election.

Accompanied by legislators, Legislative Council members and supporters, Mr. Kharge proceeded to the office of Returning Officer Vishalakshi and received the certificate. He later visited the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) office and interacted with legislators.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Kharge described the occasion as a significant milestone in his political journey and thanked the people of Karnataka and the Congress leadership for reposing faith in him.

“I have got an opportunity to serve the people for the 13th time. I thank the people of Kalaburagi, the people of Karnataka, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, party leaders and workers,” he said.

Recalling his long political tenure, Mr. Kharge said he had first entered the legislature in 1972 and had witnessed several political and social changes over the past six decades.

“I have seen many ups and downs during these 60 years. There have been changes across sectors and among all sections of society,” he said. He said the party leadership had repeatedly entrusted him with responsibilities and opportunities to serve the people.

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