Kharge sitting out big gamble or king’s gambit?

For more than half a century, the name Mallikarjun Kharge featured on Congress’ candidate lists for assembly or parliamentary elections in Karnataka. But this time, in a startling move, the 81-year-old party president has decided to stay off the ballot.
Kharge’s absence from the fray is being viewed as a significant development, affecting optics not just for Congress but also the INDIA coalition of opposition parties that he was instrumental in stitching together.Some INDIA members had even pitched Kharge as a potential prime ministerial candidate to take on PM Narendra Modi.

2019 hangover? | That he is sitting out an election that comes after his electoral defeat in the last Lok Sabha polls — his first — raises questions about the 2019 debacle hangover influencing Kharge, a man who had earned the moniker ‘Solillada Saradara’ (Invincible Leader).
However, Congress and those close to him offer a different narrative. They say Kharge’s decision stems from his stature as a national leader, one whose influence transcends the confines of a single con-stituency. They say it’s a strategic move to consolidate and focus on other winnable seats.
The decision to field his son-inlaw, Radhakrishna, is also reflective of both Kharge’s and Congress’ confidence of wresting Gulbarga seat. Radhakrishna told TOI that there was “no doubt about his victory”.
It’s also argued that Kharge could always take on a leadership role in Parliament through Rajya Sabha — his term ends in 2028 — like former PMs Manmohan Singh or HD Deve Gowda.
Kharge vs Modi | As head of the INDIA alliance, a narrative was built of a Modi-Kharge face off even be fore election dates were announced. And BJP, confident of returning to the treasury benches with even greater numbers, has been clear with its messaging.
So much so that Modi’s first election campaign this season was not from his own seat (Varanasi), or perceived Congress strongholds of Raibareli or Amethi in UP, but Kharge’s Kalaburagi (Gulbarga seat).
In fact, for a decade now, Parliament has witnessed an engrossing battle of wits and words between Kharge & Modi that have often been the highlight of sessions, capturing attention with their sharp rhetoric and spirited rebuttals.
As recently as on Feb 5, Modi said in the House: “...Even Kharge ji is saying ‘this time, it’s Modi govt’. I can see the mood of the nation; it will ensure NDA crosses the 400-mark.”
Kharge has been taking on Modi on a variety of topics ranging from economic policies and social issues to matters of national security and governance. His pointed criticisms and Modi’s equally forceful defences have become a hallmark of their parliamentary engagements.
People's elections | Stressing that he’ll still be at the forefront of the campaign against Modi, Kharge told TOI: “These Lok Sabha elections are, more than ever, People’s Elections — People of India versus 10 years of anti-people policies of BJP. The high decibel campaign by BJP will evaporate in thin air, just like in 2004.”
But several local Congressmen still whisper about the impact Kharge’s absence from the fray could have in the state, especially in Kalyana Karnataka. They feel this was an opportunity for him to reclaim his seat, given that Modi had, ahead of the 2019 elections, challenged Kharge and successfully ensured his defeat despite Kharge’s contributions to the region, including insertion of Article 371J, which gave special status to the region.
Earlier this week, Deve Gowda said: “If Congress wanted to make him PM, it should have fielded him from Gulbarga. I am 91 years old, he’s much younger — that he’s refrained from contesting shows their strategy. They didn’t make him CM in 2018 even when I had suggested it. Will they ever make him PM?”
CM’S POST: SO NEAR, YET SO FAR
Even adversaries believe Kharge should have served as Karnataka CM. The post was within the Dalit leader’s grasp more than once in his long career but always slipped through. His first opportunity was in 2004 — Congress-JD(S) coalition govt — when his dear friend, late N Dharam Singh became CM.
HD Deve Gowda had claimed Kharge was his first choice. His next opportunity was, perhaps, between 2013 and 2018. Mid-way through Siddaramaiah’s first stint as CM, a chorus for a Dalit CM emerged, making even the incumbent nervous. Kharge quelled it saying: “There’s no vacancy!”
More recently, Deve Gowda again claimed Kharge should have been Congress’ choice in 2018 when JD(S) and Congress formed a coalition govt.