Mallikarjun Kharge Criticizes Congress Workers at Karnataka Leadership Ceremony

During the swearing-in ceremony for B.K. Hariprasad as the new Karnataka Congress president, Mallikarjun Kharge criticized party workers for their disruptive behavior. Expressing his frustration over chants supporting Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Kharge called for unity and reminded attendees that the event was about the party, not individual leaders. The ceremony marked a significant transition in leadership, with Hariprasad taking over from Shivakumar, who had held the position since 2020. This event is seen as the kickoff for the Congress party's campaign leading up to future elections.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 22, 2026, 12:37 IST

Kharge's Strong Words for Party Workers

Mallikarjun Kharge, the president of the Congress party, expressed his discontent towards party members who disrupted the swearing-in ceremony of the new state president, B.K. Hariprasad. Clearly irritated by the chants of 'DK-DK' in support of Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Kharge admonished the workers, labeling them as useless and reminding them that the event was about the party, not focused on any individual leader.

A Call for Unity

With a commanding tone, Kharge urged the crowd to be quiet and sit down, suggesting that they were acting as if the entire country was in their hands. A video from the event showed Shivakumar attempting to calm the crowd, signaling for them to sit quietly. Kharge emphasized that this gathering was a Congress party meeting, meant for strengthening and uniting the party, rather than being a platform for individual glorification. He questioned the purpose of the attendees if they were merely there to shout different names.

B.K. Hariprasad Takes Charge

On Sunday, B.K. Hariprasad officially took over as the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president during a convention. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar formally handed over the party flag to Hariprasad, who has been serving as the KPCC president since 2020. The event was attended by Kharge, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, along with several ministers, legislators, and party officials.

Hariprasad's Background and Future Plans

Hariprasad, a member of the Legislative Council, was appointed as KPCC president on June 3, following Shivakumar's resignation from the position. Coming from the Billava community, he is a leader from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and was recently re-elected to the Karnataka Legislative Council. He has previously served as a member of the Rajya Sabha and has held responsibilities in various states, including Haryana. The ruling party presented this event as the launch of their campaign for upcoming elections, which will include municipal elections under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and the assembly elections in 2028.

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