From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Oct 17: Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member M Mallikarujuna Kharge, who is contesting in the election to the All India Congress Committee presidentship, visited the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee office in Bengaluru to cast his vote on Monday.

KPCC Chief D K Shivakumar, Congress Opposition leader in the Assembly Siddaramaiah, KPCC Working President Eshwar Khandre, former KPCC President Allum Veerabhadrappa, B L Shankar and other State Congress leaders received Kharge and extended pleasantries.

Though Thiruvanthapuram Lok Sabha member Shashi Tharoor is the rival candidate, Kharge is expected to win handsomely as most the senior party leaders and State units are backing his candidature.

The counting of votes will be held on Wednesday, October 17.

Incidentally, the new Congress president will be the first non-Gandhi leader after a gap of 24 years. Both Kharge and Tharoor hail from the South.

Rahul Gandhi votes from Ballari

Meanwhile, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who is on Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, exercised his vote at Sanganakallu in Ballari district on Monday.

After completing the Karnataka leg of the Yatra on Sunday, Gandhi is taking a day’s break at Sanganakallu and will be proceeding to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday to continue the Yatra.