In a surprise decision, Congress today named Mallikarjun Kharge, former Railway Minister, as its leader in the Lok Sabha, putting an end to speculation that Rahul Gandhi may take up the responsibility after the humiliating defeat in the elections.
The 72-year-old dalit leader from Karnataka, a second term MP, pipped senior-most member of the Lok Sabha Kamal Nath, who was recently elected from Chindwara constituency for a ninth term.
In the best traditions of Congress party, the appointment of Kharge, not known for articulation, was made by the party President Sonia Gandhi despite calls from within that either she or Rahul should be leading the badgered party in the Lok Sabha, where it has been reduced to a mere 44-member group.
There is a good chance that Kharge may end up as Leader of the Opposition in the House should the Speaker, yet to be elected, choose to give the post to the Congress although it has less than 10 per cent of the total membership of the House, 545.
Besides Kamal Nath, the names doing the rounds for the last few days included those of M Veerappa Moily, another party veteran, who is a former chief minister of Karnataka.
Congress leaders said in private later that Rahul Gandhi, after leading the disastrous Lok Sabha campaign, continued to evade responsibility to rebuild the party as was evident from Kharge's appointment.
