Mallikarjun Kharge is an Indian politician belongs from member of fifteenth Lok Sabha. He is a member of the Indian National Congress (INC) political party. He has won elections for a record ten consecutive times. He is well versed in politics, legislation and administration. He was the former Minister of Railways and the Union Minister of Labour and Employment in the Government of India.
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.
Political Career of Mallikarjun Kharge
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 1980, he became the Minister for Revenue in the state Cabinet. In 1983, he was elected for the third time to the Karnataka Assembly from the same constituency. In 1985, he was elected for the fourth time and was appointed as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly. In 1989, he was elected for the fifth time to the Karnataka Assembly. In 1990, he joined Bangarappa`s Cabinet as the Minister for Revenue, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj. Between, 1992 and 1994, he was the Minister for Co-operation, Medium and Large Industries in the Veerappa Moily Cabinet. In 1994, he was elected for the sixth time to the Karnataka Assembly from Gurmitkal and became the Leader of the Opposition. In 1999, he was elected for the seventh time to the Karnataka Assembly and was a front runner to the post of Chief Minister of Karnataka. He became Minister for Home in the S. M. Krishna Cabinet. In 2004, he was elected for the eighth consecutive time to the Karnataka Assembly and was once again considered a front runner to the post of the Chief Minister of Karnataka. He became the Minister for Transport and Water Resources in the Dharam Singh Cabinet. In 2005, he was appointed as the President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee.
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.
