Mallikarjun Kharge Takes Charge As Congress Prez

New Delhi: Becoming the first non-Gandhi to hold the post in 24 years, Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge has taken charge as Congress President on Wednesday.

The 80-year-old Kharge was handed over the certificate of election at AICC headquarters by Sonia Gandhi.

Before taking charge, Mallikarjun Kharge paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

Kharge is the 98th and current president of the Indian National Congress, and a Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha from Karnataka since 16 February 2021.

Kharge defeated Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor in a direct contest for the top post in the grand old party after the Gandhis opted out of the race.

Now, as the head of the Congress, Kharge is tasked with reinventing the party and improving its electoral fortunes ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.