Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said the Gandhi family has struggled to strengthen the party, and he would not be ashamed to seek their advice and support if elected as party president. Kharge, considered close to the Gandhi family, joined Rahul Gandhi In Bellary on Saturday for the India pair visit and later addressed a public meeting there.
The veteran leader said he is the “representative’s candidate” in this election for the party’s highest office to be held on October 17. Responding to a question about whether he would be remotely controlled by the Gandhi family, Kharge said, “They say things like there is nothing more to tell. The BJP is involved in such campaigns and others.” People follow it. Sonia Gandhi has worked in the organization for 20 years…Rahul Gandhi was also the president…she has fought for the party and put her strength for its development.” Congress representatives will vote on Monday to elect the president of their party. Sources close to him said Kharge, pitted against party leader Shashi Tharoor, will cast his vote at the Karnataka Congress office in Bengaluru in the morning.
Talking to reporters here, he said that the Nehru-Gandhi family – from Jawaharlal Nehru to Indira Gandhi and from Rajiv Gandhi to Sonia Gandhi – have contributed and sacrificed a lot for this country. “It is not correct to say (against Gandhi) just because we (Congress) lost some elections. He has done good for this country. His advice will benefit the party, so I will definitely seek his advice and support. There’s no shame in that. If your (media) advice is of any use, I will take it as well. He has worked for this party and it is my duty to take his advice. “Further, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi know every corner of the country who is where and who can do what for the party. I need to learn what to do for unity in the party and I will.
If elected, he will be the first Dalit to lead the party in over 45 years. He is the only leader to become the Leader of the Opposition in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. He had also been the Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, but could not become the Chief Minister of the state.
The Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka met some Congress leaders from the state and addressed the media here on Sunday as part of his campaign. Kharge did not make any direct comment on his opponent or his campaign, saying only that everyone has a right to speak on their merits while seeking support, like he has been highlighting his relationship with the party’s grassroots level. “I don’t want to get into any controversy, he (Tharoor) is giving air to his views, I don’t want to debate his views. I am sharing my thoughts. Is it our organization or family matter. He has the right to say whatever he wants, so I have the right. It is an internal friendly fight,” he asked for a question about his message to Tharoor.
He also rejected the suggestion that some were seeing it as a hoax as senior leaders and representatives are openly supporting him. “I’m contacting election representatives, my campaign manager is organizing … I’m the delegate candidate, senior leaders and delegates sponsored me.” When asked about the prospects of the Congress in poll-bound Karnataka and the impact of his election as party president, Kharge said, “Leaders in the state are fighting and working hard for a cause… Congress is united in Karnataka and will form the government in the state (after the 2023 assembly elections). Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said that Sonia and Rahul Gandhi will always have “moral authority” as they always follow principles. Surjewala said, “This moral right of the Gandhi family comes from the strength of 99 per cent of the party’s cadre and even Shashi Tharoor is sworn in by them.”
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