From Our Bureau
NEW DELHI: Congress President-elect Mallikarjun Kharge(80) will assume charge as the new Congress President on October 26, a week after winning the election by over 85% votes.
He was greeted on his election even by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, within moments of his declaration that the prime task before him was to “fight the fascist forces,” with a tweet: “My best wishes to Shri Mallikarjun Kharge Ji for his new responsibility as President of @INCIndia. May he hve a fruitful tenure ahead (sic).”
As regards the Modi government, Kharge said those sitting in power in Delhi talk much but do nothing. (Baaten to bahut karte hain, par kaam kuchh nahi.” He used a Hindi proverb to describe its character as “khokhl chna, baaje ghana.” He said India cannot be sacrificed to the eccentricity of a dictator as all have to unite to defeat these destructive forces.
Kharge also congratulated Shashi Tharoor, whom he defeated, describing him as “my partner” and said he discussed with Tharoor how to take the party forward.”
In his first press conference, he said the Congress has set an example of strengthening democracy by holding the organisational elections at the national level at a time when democracy is in danger, attacks on the Indian Constitution and attempts to disrupt every institution.
“We have to together fight against the conspiracy to destroy democracy in the country, fight against the fascist forces who are attacking every democratic institution with the communalism as their mission,” he said.
