It’s unfair to blame Rahul for loss, says Kharge

Veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said there was no need for All India Congress Committee president Rahul Gandhi to resign over the dismal performance of the party in the recently-concluded Lok Sabha polls.

Speaking to reporters here on Friday, he said, “It is unfair to blame Rahul Gandhi for poor showing of the party in the parliamentary elections. He will continue to be the AICC president.

Both Rahul Gandhi and General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra campaigned tirelessly for the party candidates. The workers have also made sincere efforts. It is unfair to blame anybody for the loss at this juncture,” Kharge said.

The AICC executive committee meeting has been convened at its office on Saturday to brainstorm on the lacklustre performance of the party, he said.

For state politics

A view has emerged within the Congress that veteran leader Mallikarjun Kharge must be roped in to lead the party’s coalition with the JD(S) to keep the BJP from toppling it, sources said.

Some feel that Kharge, whose undefeated electoral run ended after his shock loss in the Gulbarga Lok Sabha segment, should now be given an active role in state politics. Kharge, a Dalit, led the Congress on the floor of the Lok Sabha against the Narendra Modi-led BJP.

Sources point out that going forward, if Kharge becomes the chief minister, the BJP will think twice before toppling the government lest it wants to be seen as doing so when a Dalit is at the helm of affairs.

“This view has been echoed in view of the fact that Kharge will not be needed much in Delhi now,” a source said.