Parliament – Kharge Begins New Rajya Sabha Term, Reaffirms Commitment to Public Issues
Parliament – Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge officially began another term in the Rajya Sabha on Monday after taking the oath as a re-elected member of the Upper House. The ceremony took place at Parliament House, where Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan administered the oath in his chamber. Kharge chose to take the oath in Hindi while holding a copy of the Constitution, underscoring his commitment to democratic values.
Vice President Extends Congratulations
Following the oath-taking ceremony, Vice President Radhakrishnan congratulated Kharge on returning to the Rajya Sabha. He noted that Kharge’s extensive parliamentary background would continue to add value to the functioning of the Upper House. The Vice President also welcomed the newly elected members and wished them success in carrying out their legislative responsibilities.
Kharge Outlines His Parliamentary Priorities
After completing the formalities, Kharge said he would continue working to represent the concerns, expectations, and aspirations of citizens in Parliament. He stated that ensuring the government remains accountable would remain one of his principal responsibilities as Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. According to Kharge, protecting democratic values and raising issues affecting the public would continue to guide his work during the new term.
Senior Leaders Attend the Ceremony
Several prominent political leaders witnessed the oath-taking event. Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were present during the ceremony. On behalf of the government, Union Ministers J. P. Nadda, Kiren Rijiju, and Arjun Ram Meghwal attended the occasion along with Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh. Their presence reflected the significance of the swearing-in of newly elected members.
Messages Shared on Social Media
The Vice President’s Office later shared photographs of the ceremony through its official account on X, confirming that Kharge had taken oath as a re-elected Rajya Sabha member representing Karnataka.
Kharge also posted a message on X, describing his continuation as Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha as a privilege carrying both pride and responsibility. He expressed appreciation to Vice President Radhakrishnan and Deputy Chairman Harivansh for their support throughout parliamentary proceedings.
Gratitude to Party Leadership and Alliance Partners
In his message, Kharge thanked senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, along with party colleagues and workers, for their continued confidence in his leadership. He also acknowledged the cooperation extended by leaders from various political parties, particularly those associated with the INDIA alliance.
Looking ahead to the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, Kharge said he hoped opposition parties would work together effectively to raise public concerns and strengthen parliamentary scrutiny of government policies.
Other Newly Elected Members Also Take Oath
Along with Kharge, BJP leader Tarun Chugh and six other newly elected Rajya Sabha members completed the oath-taking process. These included Jitendra Meghjibhai Kanzariya and Mansingh Meraman Parmar from Gujarat, M. Nagaraja from Karnataka, Rajendra Hiralal Jain from Maharashtra, Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi from Manipur, and Alka Singh from Rajasthan.
The ceremony was attended by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Leader of the House J. P. Nadda, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, and Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, who were present both inside the Chairman’s chamber and later in the House as the proceedings continued.