The decision of the INDIA alliance to appoint Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge as chairman of the bloc has potential to benefit them during the coming general election. Mr. Kharge is one of the tallest Dalit leaders of the country cutting across political parties. His elevation coincides with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi embarking on his east-west Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. Gandhi will be on the road, travelling 6,700 km across 15 states, including the Hindi heartland states of Bihar and UP, West Bengal, Assam and Maharashtra, covering 100 Lok Sabha and 337 assembly seats.
The yatra, set to energize cadres, will also test the party’s relations with its INDIA partners, who are unlikely to be greatly excited about a Congress revival in their backyard. The projection of Kharge as face of INDIA block will make it difficult for BJP to attack him on personal level. The saffron party regularly attacks Gandhi family in particular Rahul Gandhi terming them as a dynasty. Mallikarjun Kharge is a grassroot politician who went on to occupy top post in Congress party through sheer hard work and his own talent. Also many INDIA block leaders are comfortable working with Kharge and his elevation will improve the coordination among them.