Kharge lucky for Congress, delivers Karnataka after Himachal

Kharge not only campaigned across Karnataka but also remained stationed in the southern state over the past month. Karnataka was a prestige issue for Kharge where the veteran kept the state team united, writes ETV Bharat's Amit Agnihotri.

New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who took charge on October 26, 2022, has proved to be lucky for the grand old party. Soon after taking over charge, Kharge hit the ground running as he supervised the Himachal Pradesh campaign and brought in the much-needed win for the Congress on December 8, 2022 in the BJP-ruled hill state.

Six months later on May 13, 2023, Kharge, 80, delivered another major victory for the Congress in BJP-ruled Karnataka. Being his home state, Kharge not only campaigned across Karnataka but also remained stationed in the southern state over the past month. Karnataka was a prestige issue for Kharge where the veteran kept the state team united, especially the factions led by state unit chief DK Shivakumar and CLP leader K Siddaramaiah.

“Of course, Khargeji has been lucky for the party. He won Himachal soon after he was elected party chief. His vast experience of fighting polls helped in Himachal Pradesh. As Karnataka is his home state, he knows every part of the state and its dynamics. He is respected by all state leaders and thus was able to keep the local team united. That played a crucial role in our win,” AICC general secretary Tariq Anwar told this channel.

According to party insiders, Kharge addressed around 36 public meetings and five pressers during the Karnataka campaign during which he slammed the BJP and the PM, who led the saffron party campaign. “Khargeji campaigned across Karnataka with great energy even at the age of 80. Khargeji being a Dalit leader who could become Congress president also sent a positive message among the SC/ST voters who opted for the grand old party in Karnataka,” said Anwar.

“In comparison, BJP chief JP Nadda could not ensure a win in his home state Himachal Pradesh,” he said. In fact, soon after taking over as party chief, Kharge had visited Bengaluru on November 6, 2022 where he was felicitated by the state leaders. Kharge had then asked the state team to focus on the 2023 poll win.

“Kharge is like a father figure for the party workers in the state. His elevation to the top party post had sent a positive message across the country. He is not seen as only a Dalit leader but someone who belongs to all sections of society. He is close to the Lingayats and the OBCs alike and to the other communities,” senior Karnataka Congress leader Prakash Rathod told this channel.

According to Tariq Anwar, the Karnataka win will give a fresh impetus to Kharge efforts to build opposition unity for the 2024 national elections. “The Himachal Pradesh win in December last year had shown that the PM Modi led BJP can be defeated and that the 2024 Lok Sabha battle would not be one-sided. Now, the Karnataka win has further cemented that view. The party workers across the country have been charged up by the Karnataka win including in states that will have elections in a few months. The poll result in the southern state has also sent a message to the regional parties who had some reservations against us but would now find it practical to align with the Congress for the 2024 battle,” said Anwar.