Mallikarjun Kharge Attributes Rajya Sabha Win to Sonia Gandhi's Support

Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress president, has expressed his gratitude to Sonia Gandhi for her support in his recent unopposed election to the Rajya Sabha. This marks his 13th election, and he highlighted the opportunities she has provided him throughout his political career. Alongside Kharge, three other candidates were elected from Karnataka, with the election process becoming unopposed after the withdrawal of an independent candidate. The Election Commission has also announced upcoming biennial elections for several Rajya Sabha seats across various states. Stay informed about the latest developments in Indian politics.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 12, 2026, 16:21 IST

Kharge's Gratitude Towards Sonia Gandhi

Mallikarjun Kharge, the president of the Congress party, has credited his election to the Rajya Sabha to Sonia Gandhi, the party chairperson. He expressed his gratitude, stating that throughout his political journey, she has consistently provided him with opportunities to serve the public. Speaking to reporters, Kharge mentioned that this marks his 13th election, and he is thankful to Sonia Gandhi for enabling him to serve the people.

Kharge was among four candidates who were elected unopposed from Karnataka for the Rajya Sabha. The confirmation of the results came after the deadline for withdrawing nominations passed, as only four candidates remained in the race for the four vacant seats, eliminating the need for voting scheduled for June 18.

Candidates Joining Kharge in the Rajya Sabha

Joining Kharge in the upper house are Mansoor Ali Khan, the son of former Union Minister K. Rahman Khan; Pawan Khera, the head of the Congress media and publicity department; and M. Nagaraja, a former member of the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). Nagaraja was the sole candidate from the Bharatiya Janata Party. Officials noted that the contest became unopposed after the nomination of an independent candidate was canceled during the scrutiny process, leaving exactly four valid candidates for the four seats.

Upcoming Rajya Sabha Elections

On June 1, the Election Commission announced the notification for biennial elections for 24 Rajya Sabha seats. These include four seats each from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat; three seats each from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh; two seats from Jharkhand; and one seat each from Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, and Meghalaya. Additionally, notifications for by-elections for one seat each in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha have also been issued.

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