Mallikarjun Kharge

President of the Indian National Congress

Having started political career as a student leader and General Secretary of the Student’s Union in Gulbarga, he has gone on to become one of the most respected political leaders in Karnataka enjoying the support of people from all sections and communities. Joined the Indian National Congress in 1969. He has won elections for a record 11 consecutive times having won the assembly elections for an unprecedented 9 times (1972, 1978, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2008) and the parliamentary elections from Gulbarga during 2009 and 2014. His commitment to social justice, upliftment of the weaker sections, uncompromising approach towards development and providing basic facilities in all villages have ensured his continued success in electoral politics. 1964 – 65 & 1966 – 67 : General Secretary & Vice President, Students Union, Govt. Arts and Science College, Gulbarga 1969 : Became Legal Advisor to the MSK Mills Employees Trade Union and other Industrial workers and fought for their rights. 1973 : Chairman of the Municipal Finances Enquiry Committee (Octroi Abolition Committee) which went into the question of revitalising the economy of the municipal and civic bodies in the State of Karnataka. Based on its report, the then Devaraj Urs Governement abolished the levy of Octroi at multiple points (entry tax). 1974 : As Chairman of the State owned Leather Industries Development Corporation worked to improve the living conditions of thousands of cobblers who were indulging in leather tanning industry. Work sheds cum residences were built across the State to encourage them. 1976 : Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education, during the period, over 18,000 backlog vacancies of SC/STs teachers were filled by recruiting them directly into the service within two years which happened for the first time in the country in Education Department. Grant-in-aid code was amended and grants were sanctioned since beginning to encourage to SC/ST managements who are running the schools, which was unprecedented in the entire country. 1980 : Appointed as the Cabinet Minister for Revenue Implemented the Land Reforms Act effectively by giving occupancy rights to millions of land-less tillers and labourers. More than 400 land tribunals were constituted to dispose of 6 Lakh Tenant Cases in Karnataka expeditiously and transferred land rights to those cultivating the land. 1985 : Was appointed as Dy. Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, effectively raised issues concerning the people on the floor of the House and the various misdeeds of the then Government. 1990 : As Minister for Revenue, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, brought amendments to the Land Revenue Act, through which lakhs of acres of Government land were regularised which were cultivated unauthorised by landless Dalits and poor peasants in the State irrespective of their caste and creed, who had registered their names. 1992, 1994 : As Minister for Co-operation, Medium and Large Scale Industries, brought in amendments to the Co-operation Act to ensure larger participation of Dalits in the Co-operative movement. Nearly five lakh SC/ST people were made Members and Directors of Co-operative Institutions by paying registration fee from the Government on their behalf for the first time in Co-operative Movement. Enhanced subsidy amount from 20% to 40% for SC/ST entrepreneurs and Industrial Sheds were constructed and allotted to them. 1994-1999 : Elected as CLP leader and became Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly and played the role of opposition effectively both on the floor of the Assembly and outside. Exposed the failures of the State government leading to the massive mandate for Congress in 1999 Assembly elections. 1999 : As Minister for Home, Infrastructure Development and Minor Irrigation, modernized the State police department by improving mobility and adding more vehicles, providing better technological support to police, and streamlined recruitment process purely on merit basis and following reservation policy. The first cyber-crime police station of the country was started in Bangalore and started Women Police Stations in the State. Took initiative to provide housing for State’s junior police officers & police personnel – nearly 35% of the houses for police were built during this period. Earlier, over a period of 50 years, Police Department had achieved 35% in Police housing. Started police training center at Gulbarga. Set up a Special Investigation Team to speed up investigation of the abduction of famous Kannada film star Dr. Rajkumar by notorious sandalwood smuggler, Veerappan. Ultimately government succeeded in catching him by Special Task Forces of both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Cauvery Water Dispute Agitation, High Court Agitation and other sensitive issues were handled properly during this period. As Minister in charge of Infrastructure Department, was instrumental in speeding up the implementation of the Bangalore International Airport. As Minister in charge of Minor Irrigation, was responsible for the construction of many barrages across the rivers Krishna, Bheema, Kagina and Manjra. 2004 : As Minister for Water Resources & Transport, was instrumental in turning around State-run transport corporations, many of which declared profits for the first time after decades. Modernised the fleets of all State-run transport corporations. Countless barrages and dams were built, thus augmenting water resources and providing irrigational facilities to the farmers especially in semi-dry areas. Impetus was given to completing long pending irrigation projects. 2005 : Appointed as President of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee The Congress party won largest number of seats in the Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat elections held in late 2005 reviving the party’s fortunes in rural areas by winning 23 Zilla Panchayathi’s out of 28 Zilla Panchayathis’ in the State. May 29, 2009 – June 16, 2013 : As Cabinet Minister for Labour & Employment, in the UPA-2, launched Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY). Extended insurance and benefits for workers in both organised and unorganised sectors including domestic workers. In just five years, eleven Crore people were covered under the insurance scheme. ESIC hospitals throughout the country were modernised and super speciality hospitals and colleges were started in Tier-2 cities. Biometric Smart cards called Pehchan were introduced for the benefit of Insured Persons and their families. This was one of the largest databases in the country and was used to seed the Aadhar effort. Computerisation and modernisation of the EPFO was undertaken. P.F. subscribers can now check their account status online and every subscriber has a Universal Account Number for easy portability. Skill Development was given special emphasis. Multi Skill Development Centres were opened in association with World Bank, Germany among others. Before taking over charge as Minister for Labour & Employment there were 5,000 I.T.I’s in the country. In four years period, another 5,000 I.T.I’s were established by making double shifts to encourage the Skill Development which was Flagship programme of UPA-2. June 17, 2013 – May 26, 2014 : Cabinet Minister for Railways and Social Justice and Empowerment (as additional charge) in the UPA-2 Government. During the period, long pending projects which needed marginal funding and could be speeded up to be completed were given an emphasis due to the short tenure as a Minister of Railways. Divisional Railway office at Gulbaraga was declared and it is under progress which was a long pending demand. Sanctioned Bogie Factory at Yadgir and Coach Factory at Srinivaspur in Kolar of Karnataka State. Much needed reforms in the form of establishing a Rail Tariff Regulatory Authority was approved by the Government in order to provide autonomy to the Indian Railways and make it self-sufficient. During this short period of 11 months, lots of new train services were started all over India. Many new Railway Projects were completed including Udampur-Katra New Railway Line. More funds were provided to complete North East State Railway projects. Founder President of Karnataka People’s Education Society, Gulbarga (till 2012). Founder President of Siddhartha Vihar Trust Gulbarga (till 2012). Patron, Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, Bangalore which is one of the premier Concert Halls and Theatre venues in Bangalore. President of Siddhartha Education Society, Tumkur from 1974 – 1996. Instrumental in opening of Medical and Technical institutions in Karnataka.