Kharge as PM candidate

Mamata Banerjee has proposed the name of Mallikarjun Kharge for the top post at the meeting of the Opposition bloc. ( Image Source : PTI )

Kharge, the Congress president, has been endorsed as the prime ministerial candidate of the I.N.D.I.A bloc. This is a big political development in India, as it shows the unity and strength of the opposition against the ruling BJP.

According to sources, Banerjee has proposed the name of Kharge for the top post at the meeting of the Opposition bloc.

To this, Kharge reacted in media saying that their focus should be on winning the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

Our priority is to win first. Who becomes the PM can be discussed later. If MPs are not there, what is the use of talking about the PM? We should first try to fight unitedly and bring majority,” Kharge said in response to media queries on reports suggesting that Bengal CM proposed his name as the PM face of the I.N.D.I.A alliance.

Who is Kharge?

Kharge is a seasoned politician and a leader of the Dalit community. He comes from the southern state of Karnataka, where he has held various positions as a minister and a legislator. He is also a member of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian parliament, representing the Gulbarga constituency.

Kharge became the president of the Congress party in 2023, after winning an internal election. He is the first non-Gandhi to lead the party in more than two decades. He has been instrumental in reviving the party’s fortunes in some states and forging alliances with other regional parties.

What is the I.N.D.I.A Bloc?

The I.N.D.I.A bloc is a coalition of various political parties that oppose the BJP and its allies. The acronym stands for Indian National Democratic and Independent Alliance. The bloc was formed in 2022, after a series of meetings and consultations among the opposition leaders.

The bloc consists of the Congress, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and several other smaller parties. The bloc claims to represent the diversity and pluralism of India, and to uphold the values of democracy, secularism, and social justice.

The bloc has a common minimum program, which outlines its agenda and policies on various issues, such as the economy, health, education, environment, security, and foreign affairs. The bloc also has a coordination committee, which oversees the functioning and decision-making of the alliance.

Why is Kharge the best bet?

Kharge was proposed as the prime ministerial candidate of the I.N.D.I.A bloc by two of its key members, Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal. Banerjee is the chief minister of West Bengal, and the leader of the TMC. Kejriwal is the chief minister of Delhi, and the leader of the AAP.

Banerjee and Kejriwal announced their support for Kharge at a joint press conference in New Delhi, after a meeting of the I.N.D.I.A bloc’s floor leaders at Kharge’s residence. They praised Kharge’s leadership and experience, and said that he was the best choice to lead the country. They also said that Kharge had the backing of most of the bloc’s members, and that the formal announcement would be made soon.

Kharge thanked Banerjee and Kejriwal for their endorsement, and said that he was humbled and honored by their trust. He also said that he would work hard to fulfill the aspirations of the people, and to bring a positive change in the country.

Kharge is the best bet for the I.N.D.I.A bloc for several reasons. Here are some of them:

  • Kharge is a seasoned politician, who has a wealth of experience and knowledge in governance and administration. He has handled various portfolios, such as railways, labour, social justice, and home affairs. He has also been a leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha.
  • Kharge is a leader of the Dalit community, which is one of the largest and most oppressed sections of the Indian society. He has championed the cause of the Dalits, and fought for their rights and dignity. He has also been vocal about the atrocities and discrimination faced by the Dalits under the BJP regime.
  • Kharge is a loyal and dedicated leader of the Congress party, which is the oldest and the largest party in the I.N.D.I.A bloc. He has been faithful to the party’s ideology and principles, and has never rebelled or defected. He has also been respectful and supportive of the Gandhi family, which is still influential and popular among the Congress workers and voters.
  • Kharge is a consensus builder, who has the ability to bridge the gaps and resolve the conflicts among the diverse and sometimes conflicting members of the I.N.D.I.A bloc. He has maintained cordial and cooperative relations with the other leaders of the bloc, and has shown flexibility and pragmatism in accommodating their demands and interests.
  • Kharge is a humble and honest leader, who has a clean and corruption-free image. He has never been involved in any scam or scandal, and has always maintained a high standard of integrity and morality. He has also been transparent and accountable in his dealings and decisions, and has never misused his power or position.

What are the challenges ahead?

Kharge and the I.N.D.I.A bloc face several challenges in their bid to oust the BJP from power. The BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has a strong hold over the majority of the states, and a loyal and dedicated voter base. The BJP also has a massive advantage in terms of resources, media, and institutions.

Kharge and the I.N.D.I.A bloc have to overcome the differences and conflicts among themselves, and present a united and credible alternative to the BJP. They have to win the trust and confidence of the voters, especially the youth, the women, and the marginalized sections. They have to counter the BJP’s narrative of nationalism, development, and welfare, and expose its failures and misdeeds.

The next general elections are scheduled to be held in 2024, and the I.N.D.I.A bloc has to prepare itself for a tough and long battle. Kharge has to prove his mettle as a leader, and as a potential prime minister. He has to rally his party and his allies, and reach out to the masses. He has to face the onslaught of the BJP and its allies, who will spare no effort to discredit and defeat him.

In conclusion, Kharge’s endorsement as the prime ministerial candidate of the I.N.D.I.A bloc is a significant development in Indian politics. It marks a new phase in the opposition’s campaign against the BJP, and a new hope for the people. It remains to be seen how Kharge and the I.N.D.I.A bloc will fare in the upcoming elections, and whether they will be able to create history.