Mallikarjun Kharge is a top leader in Indian politics. He leads the Indian National Congress party. Today is Wednesday, April 8, 2026. This date marks his ongoing work as a key figure in India.
Early Life
Mallikarjun Kharge came to this world on July 21, 1942. He was born in Varawatti village. This place is in Bhalki Taluk, Bidar district. Now it falls under Kalaburagi district in Karnataka. His parents were Saibavva and Mapanna Kharge. They belonged to a Dalit family. Life was very hard for them. They faced many problems because of caste issues back then. At age six, a big tragedy hit him. In 1948, Razakars attacked his home. Razakars served the Nizam of Hyderabad.
They set fire to his house. His mother and sister died in that fire. Young Kharge ran for his life. He had a narrow escape. This sad event shaped his strong will. It made him fight for the poor later in life. Kharge went to school in Gulbarga. He studied at Nutan Vidyalaya. He worked hard despite money troubles. He finished his Bachelor of Arts degree. He got it from Government College in Gulbarga. Then he studied law. He earned his law degree from Seth Shankarlal Lahoti Law College. These steps built his base for a big career.
Mallikarjun Kharge Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Religion, Wife, Family
Lawyer Career
After studies, Kharge became a lawyer. He joined the office of Justice Shivaraj Patil. He worked as a junior there. Soon he took up cases for workers. He fought for labour unions. Many poor workers faced injustice. Kharge helped them get fair pay and rights. His work showed his heart for the common man. He saw pain in factories and fields. This pushed him to politics.
In his early days, he built trust. People liked his simple ways. He spoke for land issues too. Farmers needed help with ownership papers. Kharge stood by them. He did not take big fees. He served the needy first. This made him popular in Karnataka.
Politics
Kharge joined Congress in 1969. He was young and full of fire. He became president of Gulbarga City Congress Committee that year. In 1972, he won his first big election. He became MLA from Gurmitkal seat. This was the start of a long winning run. He won nine times in a row from that seat. No one could beat him there for years.
He held many jobs in Karnataka government. In 1976, he became Minister of State for Education. He had full charge of primary and secondary schools. He worked to improve studies for poor kids. In 1979, he took Revenue and Panchayati Raj. He helped villages get better roads and water. From 1980 to 1983, he stayed on Revenue. He solved land fights fairly.
In 1990, he got big roles again. He handled Revenue, Rural Development, and Industries. He pushed for small factories. This gave jobs to locals. In 1999, he became Home Minister. He kept law and order strong. He also looked after water and irrigation. Karnataka grew under his watch. People trusted him a lot.
Rise In State Politics
Kharge led the opposition many times. In 1985, he was Deputy Leader of Opposition. Later he became full Leader. He spoke hard against bad government work. In 1996 to 1999, he guided Congress MLAs. From 2008 to 2009, he did it again. He never switched parties. Loyalty was his mark. Nehru-Gandhi family liked this. He served as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President. This was from 2005 to 2008.
He built the party strong there. Workers followed him like a father. He won trust by solving small problems. He met people daily. He listened to their pains. This simple style won hearts. One key work was in 1973. He chaired the Municipal Finances Enquiry Committee. He helped end Octroi tax. This made trade easier in cities. His ideas helped money flow better. Karnataka leaders still remember this.
Jump to National Level
In 2009, Kharge won Lok Sabha seat from Gulbarga. He went to Parliament. UPA government gave him Labour and Employment Ministry. From May 2009 to June 2013, he worked there. He made new laws for workers. He raised minimum wages. Safety in jobs got better. Then he got Railways Ministry in 2013. He also held Social Justice charge. He fixed many train delays.
He started new lines for villages. Till 2014, he served well. In 2014, he won Gulbarga again. But in 2019, he lost that seat. Still, he did not stop. He became Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha from 2014 to 2019. He spoke for the party in big debates. He joined many committees. Like Public Accounts Committee as Chairman in 2017. He checked government spending. He found wastes and fixed them.
Big Roles In Congress
In 2018, Kharge became AICC General Secretary. He helped run the party. He joined Congress Working Committee. This is the top brain of Congress. In 2020, he won Rajya Sabha seat from Karnataka. In February 2021, he became Leader of Opposition there. He fights for people in upper house. October 19, 2022, was a golden day. Kharge became Congress President. He won with huge votes. He beat Shashi Tharoor by far.
It was first non-Gandhi president in 24 years. He got 7,897 votes out of 9,385. Party workers cheered loud. He promised to rebuild Congress. As president, he travels a lot. He meets farmers, workers, youth. He speaks against wrong policies. In Rajya Sabha, he still leads opposition. From December 2022, he holds that post too. He resigned opposition role briefly for president race. Then came back strong.
Personal Side
Kharge married Radhabai. They have a happy family. They have sons and daughters. One son is Priyank Kharge. He is a minister in Karnataka now. Family stays close. They live simple life. No big show. Kharge likes books and meetings. He wakes early. He works late. He started Siddharth Vihar Trust. It built Buddha Vihar in Gulbarga. This is a big centre for learning. He helped Chowdiah Memorial Hall in Bangalore too. These show his love for culture and poor. He follows Dr. Ambedkar's ideas. Dalit pride is big for him.
Challenges
Kharge faced many fights. In 1948 fire, he lost family. In politics, he saw party ups and downs. Congress lost power in 2014 and 2019. But he stayed loyal. He never left for money or power. Critics call him Gandhi loyalist. But he says he serves people first. His strength is clean image. No big scams touch him. He wins by hard work. He speaks simple words. Everyone understands.
In meetings, he calms anger. He brings people together. At 83 now, he works like young. Health keeps him going. In 2024 elections, Congress did better. Kharge led the fight. He attacked BJP on jobs, prices. Party won more seats. He said it is people power. Now in 2026, he plans more. He wants strong opposition. India needs balance, he says.
Legacy
Kharge's life teaches fight. From poor boy to party chief. He broke caste walls. He helped workers, farmers. Karnataka loves him. Nation watches him. He dreams of just India. No one hungry, no one jobless. His story inspires kids. Study hard, stay honest, he says. Today, on April 8, 2026, Kharge keeps working. He plans party meets. He speaks in Parliament. His voice echoes for poor. India politics needs men like him. Simple, strong, true. His journey goes on. More wins to come.
