MALLIKARJUN KHARGE - GENERATIONAL GLUE

The 81-yearold Congress president proved his mettle as the leader of his party in the 16th Lok Sabha. In the first year of his presidency, he has carried the same feistiness from there in taking on the BJP and become a bridge across generations in the party

- Nishant

It 71, most politicians think that they have entered the sunset phase of their political lives, even when they are known to never retire. The ones who continue to hold powerful positions in their parties or the government at such an age are generally the ones who carry their power and glory from their younger days. However, the scenario is very different with Mallikarjun Kharge.

When the Congress chose him as its leader in the Lok Sabha after a lot of deliberations, it was an unusual choice for a defeated and dejected party. He was 71, relatively unknown despite being a Union minister twice and not considered a Congress heavyweight.

The Congress’ strength was so depleted in the 16th Lok Sabha after the 2014 General Election that it could not even lay claim to the post of the leader of the opposition. As events unfolded, and an aggressive Narendra Modi started putting his stamp in policymaking and governance, journalists started writing about the death of the Congress and the inability of its leadership under Rahul Gandhi to offer an answer to Modi’s aggression both inside and outside Parliament.

But Kharge had other plans, and he did not think that age came in the way of his performance. Instead, he is amused at the age question. “Are you suggesting that experience is of no value?” he asks, adding, “I have spent almost 52 years in politics. My experience from a block president’s position to now as the Congress president helps me in decision-making. Similarly, Sonia ji’s experience of nearly 22 years as the Congress president is unmatched. Her insights are of tremendous value to us. Therefore, our decisionmaking process is much more consultative.”

A New Leader Rises