Mallikarjun Kharge Biography
Mallikarjun Kharge is an Indian politician, lawyer and senior leader of the Indian National Congress. He has spent more than five decades in public life, beginning with student and local Congress politics in Karnataka before becoming a nine-time member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, a Union minister, Lok Sabha leader and, later, president of the Indian National Congress. He has also served as Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.
Born on July 21, 1942, in Varavatti village in Bidar district, Karnataka, Kharge comes from a family background connected to agriculture. His parents were Mapanna Kharge and Saibavva Kharge. The official Parliament profile lists him as married to Radhabai Kharge since May 13, 1968, and records that they have three sons and two daughters.
Early Life and Education
Kharge grew up in northern Karnataka and later pursued higher education in Gulbarga, now Kalaburagi. He studied at Government Arts and Science College and subsequently obtained his law qualification from S.S.L. Law College, Gulbarga, under Karnataka University, Dharwad. His professional background is listed as both agriculturist and advocate.
His legal training became an important part of his early professional life. Before entering electoral politics, he worked as a lawyer and became involved in labour-related activities and public affairs. His political career developed through student leadership and the Congress organisation in Kalaburagi.
Mallikarjun Kharge’s Political Career
Kharge’s political journey within the Congress began in the late 1960s. The Congress records that he became president of Gulbarga City Congress in 1969. He subsequently moved into electoral politics and was elected to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Gurmitkal.
One of the defining features of his state-level career was his long electoral record. He represented Gurmitkal for nine consecutive terms between 1972 and 2009, according to the Congress profile. During his years in the Karnataka government, he handled several portfolios, including Education, Revenue, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperation, Industries, Infrastructure Development, Water Resources, Irrigation, Transport and Home.
He also held leadership positions within the Karnataka Congress, including president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee and Leader of the Congress Legislature Party. His long association with northern Karnataka made regional development an important part of his public career.
Entry Into National Politics
Kharge moved to national politics after winning the Gulbarga Lok Sabha constituency in the 2009 general election. He was re-elected from the constituency in 2014 and became Leader of the Congress Party in the Lok Sabha during the 16th Lok Sabha.
At the Union level, he served in several ministerial positions, including Minister of Labour and Employment, Minister of Railways, and Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment. His parliamentary career also included involvement in legislation and policy relating to employment, infrastructure and social welfare.
One issue particularly associated with his Karnataka political record is Article 371J, a constitutional provision concerning special provisions for the Kalyan Karnataka region. The Congress identifies Kharge’s contribution to the insertion of Article 371J as one of the notable elements of his political career.
Mallikarjun Kharge as Rajya Sabha Leader
Kharge entered the Rajya Sabha in 2020. In 2021, he became Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House, a position that placed him at the centre of parliamentary debates between the government and opposition parties.
His parliamentary role has continued into 2026. PRS India records him as a Karnataka Rajya Sabha member with a new term beginning June 26, 2026. The same data records 157 debates and 433 questions through August 13, 2026.
In June 2026, Kharge filed his nomination for another Rajya Sabha term from Karnataka. He was subsequently re-elected, and Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan administered his oath on June 29, 2026.
Congress President
In October 2022, Kharge was elected president of the Indian National Congress. His election followed a contest for the party presidency and made him one of the most senior figures in the party’s organisational structure.
As Congress president, he has operated alongside other senior party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, while representing the party in parliamentary and national political debates.
His public role has included criticism of government policies as well as calls for greater parliamentary discussion. For example, in March 2026, Kharge argued that parliamentary sessions should allow more time for substantive debate and called for greater participation by opposition members in parliamentary committees. These positions were presented by Kharge in his capacity as Leader of the Opposition.
In another March 2026 intervention, he raised concerns about LPG supplies during tensions surrounding the West Asia conflict and called for a parliamentary discussion on India’s energy security. These were political claims and criticisms made by Kharge and the Congress, rather than independent findings about government performance.
Mallikarjun Kharge in 2026
Kharge remains active as Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha in 2026. His parliamentary term was renewed during the Karnataka Rajya Sabha election cycle, allowing him to continue his work in the Upper House.
His political activity in 2026 has included opposition to government proposals and criticism of the functioning of institutions. In September 2026, the Congress Working Committee adopted resolutions containing demands concerning the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Kharge and the Congress have presented these as concerns about India’s electoral process. These remain political positions and demands from the opposition party.
Kharge has also continued to speak about the role of the opposition in parliamentary democracy. His public statements have frequently focused on parliamentary procedure, representation, social welfare and the functioning of constitutional institutions.
Mallikarjun Kharge’s Personal Life
Mallikarjun Kharge married Radhabai Kharge on May 13, 1968. According to his official Parliament profile, they have five children, comprising three sons and two daughters.
Despite his long political career, his family life has generally remained less prominent in public coverage than his parliamentary and organisational work. His public profile has primarily centred on politics, law, Parliament and the Congress organisation.
Mallikarjun Kharge’s Age
Mallikarjun Kharge was born on July 21, 1942. He is 84 years old in 2026. The Parliament of India profile confirms his date of birth, while PRS India also lists his age as 84 in its parliamentary data.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mallikarjun Kharge
1. Who is Mallikarjun Kharge?
Mallikarjun Kharge is an Indian politician, lawyer and senior Congress leader. He is the president of the Indian National Congress and a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka. He has also served as Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.
2. How old is Mallikarjun Kharge?
Mallikarjun Kharge was born on July 21, 1942. He is 84 years old in 2026.
3. Who is Mallikarjun Kharge’s wife?
Mallikarjun Kharge’s wife is Radhabai Kharge. The couple married on May 13, 1968, and have three sons and two daughters.
4. What is Mallikarjun Kharge’s educational qualification?
Kharge holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a law qualification. He studied at Government Arts and Science College, Gulbarga, and S.S.L. Law College, Gulbarga, under Karnataka University, Dharwad.
5. When did Mallikarjun Kharge become Congress president?
Mallikarjun Kharge was elected president of the Indian National Congress in October 2022. He continues to hold the party presidency in 2026.
