Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday took oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha after being re-elected to the Upper House from Karnataka. The oath was administered by Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan in his chamber in Parliament.
Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were present during the oath-taking ceremony. Several senior leaders were also present on the occasion, including Health Minister and Leader of the House J.P. Nadda, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh.
On June 11, three Congress candidates, including Kharge, along with one BJP nominee, were declared elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka. The elections were held to fill four Rajya Sabha seats from the state following the completion of the terms of sitting members Iranna Kadadi and Narayana Koragappa of the BJP, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda of the JD(S), whose tenure ended on June 25.
Kharge had sought re-election to the Upper House from Karnataka after the expiry of his previous term. Taking to X after taking the oath, the Congress president said, "It is a matter of immense pride and responsibility to continue serving this august Upper House as the Leader of the Opposition."
He also expressed gratitude to Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan and Deputy Chairman Harivansh for their continued support. Kharge thanked Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Congress MPs, and party workers and supporters, whose unwavering faith and encouragement, he said, have "sustained me throughout my long journey in public life and Parliamentary service."
"I am equally grateful to the Floor Leaders of all political parties, especially our colleagues in the INDIA bloc, and the wider Opposition, for their cooperation and camaraderie. I look forward to even stronger coordination during the forthcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament so that, together, we can make the government of the day more accountable," he added.
The Congress president reiterated that the Opposition would continue to highlight issues affecting the people and ensure that their concerns receive due attention in Parliament. "We will continue to raise the burning concerns, aspirations and voices of the people with sincerity, conviction and determination. That remains our foremost responsibility, and I shall discharge it with the utmost commitment," he added.