The tallest Dalit leader from Congress in Karnataka, M Mallikarjun Kharge begins a new chapter in his political career spanning four decades with his induction into the Union Cabinet.
Kharge, 67, was mostly associated with state politics having won the Karnataka assembly elections for nine successive terms and is currently leader of Congress in the house.
Born on July 21, 1942 in a non-descript Varavatti village of Basavakalyan Taluk in Bidar, Kharge, who has vast administrative experience in handling a plethora of portfolios ranging from revenue, industry, rural development to home, however, made the neighbouring Gulbarga as his home.
Kharge won his first assembly election from Gurumitkal in 1972 at the age of 30. He was elected to this Lok Sabha from Gulbarga.
During his stint as home minister of the state in the S M Krishna ministry, the multi-crore “fake stamp paper” racket was unearthed.
The Congress veteran is also credited with deft handling of the Kannada cine star Rajkumar kidnap episode after forest bandit Veerappan abducted him in 2000.
Kharge has also shouldered the responsibilities of leader of Opposition in the state for two terms.