NEW DELHI — Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday officially took the oath of office as a member of the Rajya Sabha following his recent re-election to the Upper House of Parliament. The 84-year-old veteran leader continues to represent the state of Karnataka and will maintain his crucial legislative position as the Leader of the Opposition.
The brief ceremony took place inside the official chamber of the Rajya Sabha Chairman, where Vice President C P Radhakrishnan administered the oath of office. Congratulating the veteran parliamentarian on his fresh term, the Chairman expressed confidence that Kharge’s extensive legislative and administrative experience would be utilized effectively to steer the proceedings and debates of the House in a prompt and constructive manner. Kharge later expressed his gratitude to the presiding officers and party workers, promising that the opposition benches would continue to raise public concerns with conviction during the upcoming sessions.
The high-profile event saw the attendance of top leaders from across the political spectrum. Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Wayanad Member of Parliament Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were present to support the party chief. The treasury benches were represented by several senior Union Ministers, including Health Minister and Leader of the House J P Nadda, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, and Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, alongside Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh.
