Cong not to function as opposition for opposition sake: Kharge

New Delhi/Bangalore, June 2: Mallikarjuna Kharge, who was chosen leader of the

in Lok Sabha, today said his party will play the role of a "constructive opposition" and not function as an "opposition for opposition sake".

"We will not function as opposition for opposition sake. It (our functioning) will be issue based in the larger interest of the country and society," Kharge told PTI in his reaction to the new role assigned by his party before leaving for New Delhi. He said the party would play the role of a "constructive opposition". "Naturally, in the interest of the country, in the interest of the people. Congress party is always for constructive work and we will do it," he told PTI after reaching his house in the national capital.

Asked what would be his priority as Opposition leader, he merely said, "I cannot tell you those details right now. We will see what the priorities are. Whatever guidance that the people in the party, the party high command and our President give, I will work according to that". Profusely thanking Congress President Sonia Gandhi for reposing faith in him, he said, "I will do my utmost to measure up to the expectations of party president".

"I will sincerely and honestly try to discharge the responsibility in the interest of the country. Whatever job has been entrusted to me by my party president, I will try to come up to her expectations," he said. Kharge, a veteran Congress leader who has never tasted defeat in his more than 45 years of political life, added, "And what we will do time will tell. A man becomes wiser with time and time alone teaches him". He steered clear of questions about a section in the party wanting either Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi to become the Congress Leader in the Lok Sabha.

PTI