![]() Early life of Mallikarjun Kharge Mallikarjun Kharge was born on 21st July 1942 in Warwatti in Karnataka to Mapanna Kharge and Sabavva. He did his schooling from Nutan Vidalaya in Gulbarga. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Govt College and the Law degree from Seth Shankarlal Lahoti Law College in Gulbarga. ![]() Mallikarjun Kharge, a Buddhist by religion, started his legal practise as a junior in Justice Shivraj Patil's office and fought cases for labour unions. He started his political career as a student union leader while in the Government College, Gulbarga when he was elected as the General Secretary of the students' body. He was also a labour Union Leader of Samyukta Majdoor Sangha. He joined the Indian National Congress in 1969. Then he became the President of the Gulbarga City Congress Committee. In 1972, Mallikarjun Kharge contested for the Karnataka State Assembly elections and won from Gurmitkal constituency. In 1973, he was appointed as the Chairman of the Octroi Abolition Committee which revitalised the economy of the municipal and civic bodies in the state of Karnataka. In 1974, he was appointed as the Chairman of State owned Leather Development Corporation. In 1976, he was appointed as the Minister of State for Primary Education. In 1978, he was elected for the second time as MLA from Gurmitkal constituency and was appointed as Minister of State for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj ministry. ![]() In 2008, he was elected for the ninth consecutive time to the Assembly from Chitapur. He was appointed as the Leader of the Opposition for the second time in 2008. In 2009 he won his tenth consecutive election from Gulbarga Parliamentary constituency. In May, 2009, Kharge was appointed as the Minister for Labour and Employment in Union Cabinet. Then he took the charge as the Minister of Railways in the later phase of UPA regime. Social Activities of Mallikarjun Kharge He is the Founder-Chairman of Siddharth Vihar Trust that built the Buddha Vihar in Gulbarga, India. He sponsors the Chowdiah Memorial Hall which is one of the premier concert and theatre venues in Bengaluru and helped the centre get over its debts. Personal life of Mallikarjun Kharge Mallikarjun Kharge is married to Radhabai and has two daughters and three sons. |