"She gave me opportunities to serve people": Mallikarjun Kharge credits Sonia Gandhi after being elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha
Bengaluru, June 12
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has credited party chairperson Sonia Gandhi for his election to the Rajya Sabha, stating that she has consistently provided him with opportunities to serve the people throughout his political career.
Speaking to reporters, Kharge said, "This is my 13th election... I am grateful to Sonia Gandhi. She has given me the opportunities to serve the people..."
Kharge was among four candidates declared yesterday elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka yesterday. The outcome was confirmed following the withdrawal deadline, as only four nominees remained in the contest for the four vacant seats, rendering the previously scheduled June 18 polling unnecessary.
Joining Kharge in the Upper House are educationist Mansoor Ali Khan, son of former Union Minister K Rahman Khan; Congress media and publicity department chairperson Pawan Khera; and M Nagaraja, a former Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) member, who was the sole nominee from the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Officials stated that the contest became uncontested after the scrutiny process led to the rejection of an independent candidate's nomination, leaving exactly four valid candidates for the four seats.
The Election Commission issued a notification for biennial elections for the 24 Rajya Sabha seats on June 1. The seats include four each in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, three seats each in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, two seats in Jharkhand, and one seat each in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and Meghalaya.
Notification was also issued for the Rajya Sabha bypoll for a seat each in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Odisha.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Another dynastic politics move! Sonia Gandhi giving opportunities to loyalists while ordinary party workers are ignored. Kharge is a seasoned leader but this feels like a reward for staying in line. 😒
Uncontested election - democracy at work? At least Kharge acknowledged the opportunity. But I worry about the lack of real opposition in Rajya Sabha. India needs strong debates, not rubber stamps. 🤔
Kharge ji has served as Union Minister and state leader. Giving him another term in Rajya Sabha makes sense. But why does every Congress leader have to thank one family? Party needs to stand on its own feet.
Classic Congress style - leaders keep getting elected without contest. Meanwhile, common people struggle for basic rights. But credit where due: Kharge is a Dalit leader who rose through ranks. Hope he uses this term for real change. ✊
Wait, four candidates for four seats and it's 'unopposed'? That's not unopposed, that's just no competition! But Kharge's gratitude is genuine. He started as a humble worker and now President of Congress. Inspiring journey!
Honestly, these Rajya Sabha
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