BENGALURU: Newly elected Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge took charge of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) at AICC headquarters in Delhi on Wednesday.
Interim president Sonia Gandhi handed over the reins to Kharge at a programme wherein Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were also present.
Kharge became the first non-Gandhi Congress president in 22 years after defeating Shashi Tharoor by a huge margin in the presidential election held earlier this month.
“Many congratulations to the newly elected president, Mallikarjuna Kharge. I am very happy that a ground-level leader has risen to great heights through his hard work, commitment and loyalty towards the party. He is a new inspiration to our party, and I hope that our party will be more spirited. I am grateful for the love and respect shown to me so far”, said Sonia Gandhi.
“I will remember all your love and respect till my last breath. I have worked to the best of my abilities. Now I am free from all the responsibilities and I am grateful to everyone. The transition will take place in all sectors and will create new opportunities. All leaders should come together as a new force to tackle the problems of our country”, she added.
“Becoming the party president is an emotional moment for me. I started as a block Congress worker and today I feel honoured to be able to handle this position. I promise to work beyond my ability and will reorganise the party again. I thank Sonia Gandhi on behalf of all the party workers”, Mallikarjun Kharge said in his first presidential address.
“Through the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhi is connecting with people on the ground by understanding the problems of the people. This is a great strength for the party, and millions of people have joined the Bharath Jodo Yatra”, he added.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president D K Shivakumar, Opposition leader Siddaramaiah, MLCs B K Hariprasad, H K Patil, other MLAs and MPs participated in the event.
“Kharge has been involved with the party since he was a student. He has handled many positions and responsibilities and has vast experience. Kharge is a progressive thinker who is loyal and committed. We will miss Sonia Gandhi as Congress president, but her guidance will not be missed. For the last eight years, the BJP has defamed Rahul Gandhi, but the Bharath Jodo Yatra has answered everything, “said party general secretary K C Venugopal.