Cong values, not Dalit identity made Kharge prez: Priyank

Following the election of his father and veteran Congressman Mallikarjun Kharge as Congress President, son and former minister Priyank Kharge is no doubt elated. In an interview with Maqsood Maniyar of News Trail, Priyank who represents Chittapur in the Karnataka Assembly, spoke about Dalit politics, the coming Assemby polls and the so-called rift in the state Congress

‘’My father’s ascension to the post of All India Congress Committee (AICC) president had more to do with his adherence to Congress’ values rather than his Dalit identity’’, asserted former minister and son Priyank Kharge Priyank added that the same held good for the late Babu Jagjivan Ram as well, who had been the Congress president in the mid-70s.

Kharge senior visited Karnataka for the first time since becoming the party’s national president and attended a Congress convention at Palace Grounds on Sunday. “Neither Jagjivan Ram nor Mallikarjun Kharge became AICC presidents because they are Dalits. They were chosen because they understand the Congress and the ideology it stands for and what is in the best interest of the nation. Correct?

There is no reservation for this post, right? It is because of their unflinching loyalty to the ideological cause of the Congress that they were elected. They were chosen by delegates. Mr Shashi Tharoor was also in the fray. It is an election, not a selection process,” Priyank said.

“It is a good thing (Dalit representation). An ordinary block president coming from a marginalised community becoming the AICC president is definitely inspirational to many people. It is going to help the party. Also, saying that a worker has become the president is a matter of great pride,” he added.

 ‘Nadda selected’

The Congress MLA from Chittapur rubbished the allegations that Kharge senior was elected because he is the choice of the Gandhi family. “We are not here to answer the BJP. It’s an internal election. Why should I answer the BJP?

They should answer the people about what happened to their process. Was JP Nadda re-elected or re-selected (as BJP President)? Were the voters’ lists released? Where did the election take place? Where were the delegates? Who were they? Let them answer. Why are they so interested in what we are doing?” Kharge wondered.

Mission 150

He sought to quash rumours of infighting in the Congress, adding that CM candidacy was not on the party’s agenda right now. “Mr Siddaramaiah has a specific role to perform as the CLP (Congress Legislature Party) leader. DK Shivakumar ji has a specific role to play as the PCC (Pradesh Congress Committee) president.

Similarly, Mr Kharge has a role to play for the party. What is the confusion? Mr Gandhi has also very clearly said that everybody needs to work together and the CM candidate will be decided after the election, recently in Chitradurga,” Kharge said. “Getting 150 seats is important. That’s it. Period,” he said adding, “There is no infighting. The BJP and media have nothing to cook up.

That’s their problem. What can we do about that?” Kharge junior expressed optimism over a Karnataka leader becoming the party president. “Everything will have its own pros and cons. Quite naturally, since Mr Kharge hails from Karnataka and he is deeply entrenched in the politics of Karnataka, he’ll naturally prove beneficial in the long run,” he said.