Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Feb 12: Mallikarjun Kharge (78) has been chosen by the Congress to succeed Ghulam Nabi Azad as the new leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha. The party has addressed a letter to the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, informing him of its decision.

Kharge will take over the mantle from Ghulam Nabi Azad, who will retire on February 15. He is the second from the state of Karnataka to be elevated to this post.

Kharge, who has become the leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha is backed by the experience of having functioned as the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha. Besides, he also worked as the railway minister and minister for labour and employment at the centre. He had won a record 10 consecutive elections including his tenure at the Karnataka assembly. He had functioned as a Karnataka minister. He was also considered for being made the chief minister of Karnataka in the past.

For the first time, he was defeated in the Lok Sabha election last year after which he was chosen as a member of the Rajya Sabha.