In a candid address at a programme in Vijayapura, Congress President and senior leader Mallikarjun Kharge reflected on a key moment of political disappointment in his career — missing out on the Chief Ministership of Karnataka in 1999, despite his instrumental role in bringing the party to power.
Recounting events from the late 1990s, Kharge said, “As the leader of the Legislative Party, I put in relentless effort to help Congress return to power. But once we succeeded, SM Krishna — who had joined only four months earlier — was chosen as Chief Minister.”
Kharge expressed deep regret, adding, “All my hard work felt wasted. I had served tirelessly for five years, yet someone who was relatively new secured the top post.”
SM Krishna, who belonged to the dominant Vokkaliga community, went on to serve as Karnataka’s Chief Minister from 1999 to 2004. Kharge, a loyalist of the Gandhi family and a seasoned Dalit leader, continued to serve in various ministerial roles during that period. He later transitioned to national politics, contesting the Lok Sabha elections in 2009.
Political observers have long speculated that caste considerations played a crucial role in the decision. Despite Kharge’s seniority and grassroots support, his Scheduled Caste background may have worked against him in a party balancing social equations in Karnataka. Meanwhile, Krishna’s elevation was seen as a move to consolidate support among the Vokkaliga population.
Kharge’s political journey continued upward. In 2022, he emerged as the Congress President after defeating Shashi Tharoor in an organisational election — a contest widely seen as endorsed by the Gandhi family.
Kharge’s reflections shed light on the complex intersection of merit, caste, and party dynamics in Indian politics — particularly within the Congress party, where such decisions often shape the course of regional leadership.
