NEW DELHI: On Wednesday Mallikarjun Kharge took charge as the first president of the Indian National Congress not belonging to the Gandhi family in nearly two and a half decades. He secured the top post defeating Shashi Tharoor by a huge margin at the party election held last week. He started his journey as a block committee chief in 1969 and now reached the top position in the party
Addressing party workers as the president for the first time, he said, "It's an emotional moment for me as the son of a labourer, a common Congress worker, has taken over as chief of the Congress party. I thank you all for this honour."
"As president, it will be my utmost duty to look after our workers. Together, we will build an India that will be enlightened, empowered and equal for every citizen. We will uphold the Constitution of this country, respect everyone's rights and give equal opportunities, defeat those who spread hate, and fight inflation, unemployment and hunger," added Kharge.
Commenting on the upcoming elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, he said that the public wants a change in these states. "We will have to show our party's strength in these elections. If we all work hard and with dedication, we will achieve success. We are the soldiers of Mahatma Gandhi, we are not scared of anyone. When a Congress worker will get rid of his fear, then even the biggest of kingdoms will be defeated."
On Wednesday morning, the new Congress president visited Rajghat to pay his tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. He also visited former prime minister Manmohan Singh at his residence.
Madhusudan Mistry, the Chairman of the Congress Central Election Authority formally handed over the election certificate to Kharge in the presence of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi is currently on a three-day break from the Bharat Jodo Yatra campaign.
All members of the Congress Working Committee as well as all the general secretaries and in-charges of the All India Congress Committee tendered their resignations soon after the event.
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