Bengaluru: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has endorsed Rahul Gandhi as the successor to Narendra Modi for the Prime Minister’s position if the INDIA bloc, led by the Congress, defeats the BJP in the upcoming general election.
In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Kharge revealed that he had also pushed for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to enter the electoral fray. There had been speculation about her running from Raebareli, a constituency vacated by Sonia Gandhi. However, Priyanka opted out, choosing instead to manage her brother Rahul Gandhi’s campaign.
Kharge praised Rahul Gandhi, highlighting his extensive campaigning efforts, including leading two ‘Bharat Jodo Yatras’ and frequently sharing the stage with allies while directly challenging Prime Minister Modi. “Rahul Gandhi is my choice to be Prime Minister… he represents the youth and the breadth of the country,” Kharge said.
Despite Rahul Gandhi being seen as a strong consensus candidate, he has discouraged premature discussions about leadership, insisting that the INDIA bloc will decide on the Prime Ministerial candidate collectively after winning the election. This sentiment was echoed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, whose AAP is part of the coalition.
In November, Kharge told NDTV that naming a candidate prematurely could “break INDIA bloc unity,” a stance intended to keep the coalition together ahead of the election. The bloc, formed in June last year, has faced internal challenges, including Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s party switching allegiance to the BJP after disputes over his role.
Regarding Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Kharge expressed his desire for her to contest but noted that Rahul needed her to manage his nationwide campaign. He left the decision on her electoral debut and Rahul’s potential return to Amethi to the Gandhi siblings.
The opposition bloc plans to hold an informal meeting on the final day of polling to strategize for counting day on June 4.