Mallikarjun Kharge, the Age 81-year-old firebrand at the helm of India’s oldest political party, the Indian National Congress, Kharge’s journey from a small village in Karnataka to the pinnacle of Indian politics is as inspiring as it is unconventional.
Born in 1942 in the dusty village of Warwatti, Karnataka in a Dalit(Caste) family, Kharge’s life was shaped by the realities of rural India. He witnessed firsthand the struggles of marginalized communities and the yearning for social justice.
Mallikarjun Kharge’s academic journey saw him graduate from the Government College in Gulbarga and later obtain a law degree. It was during his college days that his political activism blossomed. He rose through the ranks of the student union.
Championing the Cause of Labor
After completing his law degree, Kharge embraced the legal profession, but his true calling lay in fighting for the rights of the underprivileged. He became a legal advisor to the MSK Mills Employees’ Union, his courtroom battles echoing the concerns of countless laborers.
Personal Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Mallikarjun Kharge |
Date of birth (Age) | July 21 1942 (82 Years) |
| Place of birth | Varawatti Bhalki Taluk Bidar district Karnataka |
| Caste | Dalit |
Education | Bachelor of Arts (Government College, Gulbarga), Bachelor of Laws (Seth Shankarlal Lahoti Law College, Gulbarga) |
Profession | Lawyer, politician |
Wife/Spouse | Radhabai Kharge |
Political party | Indian National Congress |
Entering the Political Arena
In 1969, Kharge joined the Indian National Congress, drawn to its ideals of social democracy and equality. Kharge’s electoral victories in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly (1972) and later in the Lok Sabha (2009) cemented his position as a prominent figure in Indian politics. He served in various ministerial roles, including Minister of Labour and Employment and Minister of Railways.
In 2022, a historic chapter unfolded when Kharge was elected as the President of the Indian National Congress, the first Dalit leader to hold the party’s highest office.
Political Career
- 1967: Student leader – sparking political fire.
- 1969: Joins Congress – finding his political home.
- 1972: Karnataka MLA – entering the legislative arena.
- 1989-94: Karnataka Labor Minister – fighting for worker rights.
- 1989 & 1998: Lok Sabha MP – voice for Karnataka in Parliament.
- 1996-99: Karnataka Opposition Leader – holding the government accountable.
- 2009-13: UPA Railway Minister – modernizing a national lifeline.
- 2014: Congress Lok Sabha Leader – guiding the party’s voice.
- 2019: Retains Lok Sabha seat – commitment to public service continues.
- 2021: Rajya Sabha Opposition Leader – shaping national debates.
- 2022: Congress President – leading the party into a new era.
Mallikarjun Kharge's Family Members
Kharge’s story begins in a Dalit family in Karnataka. His early life was marked by hardship, including the tragic loss of his mother and sister in a communal fire when he was just seven.
Kharge’s wife, Radhabai, has been his rock throughout his political rise.
The Kharge family boasts five talented children – three sons and two daughters.
Priyank Kharge: The eldest son, Priyank, has followed his father’s footsteps into politics. He is an MLA from the Chittapur constituency and a former minister in the Karnataka government.
Rahul Kharge and Milind Kharge: While Rahul and Milind have chosen to stay away from the political limelight, they are successful businessmen in their own right.
Priyadarshini Kharge and Jayashree Kharge: Kharge’s daughters, Priyadarshini and Jayashree, are fiercely independent women who have excelled in their chosen fields. Priyadarshini is a doctor, while Jayashree is a businesswoman.
Mallikarjun Kharge Net Worth
According to the affidavit he filed for the 2023 Lok Sabha elections, Mallikarjun Kharge’s total assets are worth ₹22.26 crores (~$2.9 million). This includes movable assets of ₹15.02 crores (~$2.1 million) and immovable assets of ₹7.24 crores (~$1.1 million).
