Congress President Election Results 2022 updates: Mallikarjun Kharge to take charge on October 26

Updated: Wednesday, October 19, 2022, 23:32 [IST]

New Delhi, Oct 19: Mallikarjun Kharge was on Wednesday elected the Congress president after defeating Shashi Tharoor in an electoral contest, the sixth in the party's 137-year-old history.

Tharoor picks Reinvent Cong slogan to garner support, rules out differences with Kharge

In a statement, Tharoor said the final verdict has been in favour of Kharge. He also conveyed his congratulations to Kharge for his victory.

Follow Live Updates of the event:

Oct 19, 2022, 10:03 PM IST

Congress leader Ashwani Kumar says election of Mallikarjun Kharge as party president by huge margin shows Sonia Gandhi's is last word in organisation's internal politics.He also lauded Shashi Tharoor for taking on challenge to contest top Cong post. 'He is no loser', said Kumar

Oct 19, 2022, 10:03 PM IST

Shashi Tharoor contested by maintaining high democratic principles, committed no wrongs by words or action while campaigning for post of party president: Kerala Congress chief K Sudhakaran

Oct 19, 2022, 10:03 PM IST

"Heartiest congratulations to newly elected @INCIndia President Shri Mallikarjun @kharge. His experience, commitment & insights will drive Congress in the right direction. It is a proud moment for all Kannadigas. #AICCPresidentElection," Siddaramaiah tweeted.

Oct 19, 2022, 8:02 PM IST

I thank Congress election authorities & volunteers for their efforts in conducting these elections to strengthen our party.I also thank Smt Sonia Gandhi & Sri Rahul ji for their selfless service to the party.We'll continue to look to them for their guidance: Cong pres-elect M Kharge

Oct 19, 2022, 7:01 PM IST

The Congress has no future unless it rediscovers its leader and first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, CPI MP Binoy Viswam said on Wednesday. He also claimed that neither of the Congress presidential poll candidates spoke about policy during their campaign but were "enjoying the festivity" around the election.

Oct 19, 2022, 6:58 PM IST

Kharge, a former railways and labour minister, was born five years before independence and is widely believed to have the backing of both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.

Oct 19, 2022, 6:58 PM IST

Kharge now faces the mammoth challenge of winning the next national election, due in 2024, and contesting two state elections before the end of this year.

Oct 19, 2022, 5:57 PM IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extends his wishes Mallikarjun Kharge on being elected as the President of the Congress party.

Oct 19, 2022, 5:57 PM IST

This is an internal matter of Congress. My best wishes to Mallikarjun Kharge Ji for being elected as the president of the party. How many votes were rejected, how many were wrong also raises a big question in itself: Union Minister Anurag Thakur

Oct 19, 2022, 5:55 PM IST

Not a presonal battle, Kharge's win is Congress win: Shashi Tharoor after defeat in top party polls

Oct 19, 2022, 5:54 PM IST

Addressing a press conference after the results for the Congress presidential elections were declared, nominee Shashi Tharoor, who secured 1072 votes, said that Kharge's win is Congress party's win.

Oct 19, 2022, 5:43 PM IST

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot called Kharge an experienced leader after the latter's election victory. "It's a moment of pride that Mallikarjun Kharge became Congress President, he is an experienced leader. Congress will strengthen under his leadership, and our party is united across the country," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Oct 19, 2022, 5:41 PM IST

We should consider Kharge Ji's victory as the victory of the Congress party. This election was never about a person but always about the party. I always wanted to strengthen the party because strengthening Congress is very important for the country: Shashi Tharoor

Oct 19, 2022, 5:40 PM IST

I went to his (Mallikarjun Kharge) residence and congratulated him on his victory. He is a senior leader and will always guide the party. I'm extremely happy as over 1000 delegates voted for me. Our workers are the real pride of our party: Shashi Tharoor

Oct 19, 2022, 5:40 PM IST

We all have to work like workers of the party, nobody is big or small in the party. We have to unitedly fight against the fascist forces that are attacking the democratic institutions under the garb of communalism: Congress President-elect Mallikarjun Kharge

Oct 19, 2022, 5:40 PM IST

Congress President-elect Mallikarjun Kharge will take charge on October 26: Congress MP Randeep Surjewala

Oct 19, 2022, 5:18 PM IST

Newly-elected Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will take charge as party chief on October 26. He also thanked Outgoing Congress president Sonia Gandhi on behalf of party workers.

Oct 19, 2022, 5:13 PM IST

Addressing reporters in New Delhi, the Congress MLA said, ''We have to build the party at the grassroots level, encourage our cadre and have to work beyond our capacities to ensure that the governments are formed in various states. Challenges are very clear and his directions are very clear.” “The process of building the party will be consultative and the workers will get the preference.'' Priyank Kharge was replying to a query on the challenges before the new party President in the context of the crucial Assembly elections in Karnataka, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

Oct 19, 2022, 5:13 PM IST

Priyank Kharge on Wednesday said his father Mallikarjun Kharge, who was elected as the Congress President, will strengthen the outfit by consulting everyone and give preference to the party workers.

Oct 19, 2022, 5:11 PM IST

I want to congratulate my partner Shashi Tharoor as well. I met him and discussed how to take the party forward. I want to thank Sonia Gandhi on behalf of all party workers. Under her leadership, we formed our govt in the centre twice: Congress President-elect Mallikarjun Kharge

Oct 19, 2022, 3:50 PM IST

Outgoing Congress president Sonia Gandhi & party's General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra congratulated Mallikarjun Kharge, on being elected as the Congress President; also met his wife Radhabai Kharge.

Outgoing Congress president Sonia Gandhi & party's General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra congratulated Mallikarjun Kharge, on being elected as the Congress President; also met his wife Radhabai Kharge. https://t.co/ijZWWWwnVr pic.twitter.com/crGPBOyrOO
— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2022

Oct 19, 2022, 3:49 PM IST

WATCH | Outgoing Congress president Sonia Gandhi arrives at the residence of Congress President-elect Mallikarjun Kharge

#WATCH | Delhi: Outgoing Congress president Sonia Gandhi arrives at the residence of Congress President-elect Mallikarjun Kharge pic.twitter.com/KsNtOpiD9A
— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2022

Oct 19, 2022, 3:14 PM IST

I will hold a press conference between 4-4:30pm today: Mallikarjun Kharge, after getting elected as the President of the Indian National Congress

Oct 19, 2022, 3:07 PM IST

Mallikarjun Kharge won with a huge majority; a win of democracy. I congratulated him. I've faith his experience will benefit the party...9000 elected people elected the President,this was never done before by any party.Oppn must be nervous today:Rajasthan Cong leader Sachin Pilot

Oct 19, 2022, 3:07 PM IST

UP had 6 ballot boxes, of which 4 didn't have any issues. We got the seals of all ballot boxes checked by him (Shashi Tharoor) this morning. He stated, 2 ballot boxes did not have the embossed ballot box numbers: Congress Central Election Authority chairman Madhusudan Mistry

Oct 19, 2022, 3:06 PM IST

Total counted votes were 9,385, of which Mallikarjun Kharge received 7,897 votes & Dr Shashi Tharoor received 1,072 votes. Invalid votes- 416: Congress Central Election Authority chairman Madhusudan Mistry.

Oct 19, 2022, 3:06 PM IST

I hereby declare Mallikarjun Kharge as the elected President of Congress: Madhusudan Mistry, Congress CEC Chairman.

Oct 19, 2022, 2:17 PM IST

"The decision of the party delegates is final and I accept it humbly. It is a privilege to be a member of a party that allows its workers to choose their president," Tharoor said.

Oct 19, 2022, 2:17 PM IST

In a statement, Tharoor said the final verdict has been in favour of Kharge. He also conveyed his congratulations to Kharge for his victory.

Oct 19, 2022, 2:16 PM IST

Mallikarjun Kharge was on Wednesday elected the Congress president after defeating Shashi Tharoor in an electoral contest, the sixth in the party's 137-year-old history.

Sep 26, 2022, 3:15 pm IST

"A discussion will take place at the meeting about Sunday's happenings. Time has not been fixed yet. (Minister Shanti) Dhariwal ji said on Sunday night that he will meet the Speaker on Monday and urge him to accept the resignations. But it is not decided," chief minister's advisor Sanyam Lodha said.

Sep 26, 2022, 3:16 pm IST

However, several MLAs have left for their respective constituencies in view of Navratri festival, the party sources said. When asked whether the MLAs will meet the observers on Monday, Lodha said, whatever message has to be conveyed has been conveyed.

Sep 26, 2022, 3:33 pm IST

Miffed with the unexpected turn of events in Rajasthan Congress, the central leadership has urged interim president Sonia Gandhi to drop Ashok Gehlot from the party's presidential poll race.

Sep 26, 2022, 3:33 pm IST

The development comes a day after 90 odd MLAs from Rajasthan Congress refused to attend the CLP meeting, which was supposed in the presence of AICC observers Mallikarjun Kharge and Ajay Maken. The CM supporters have indicated that they do not want Sachin Pilot as Gehlot's successor and want the next CM to be someone who was instrumental in saving the government during the 2020 crisis.

Sep 26, 2022, 3:33 pm IST

This development has irked the Congress Working Committee members who have registered their unhappiness over the political crisis. "It would not be good to lay faith in him and give him the responsibility of the party. The party top leadership should reconsider his candidature," ANI quoted a source as saying. Now, they have demanded to find a replacement to Gehlot.

Sep 26, 2022, 3:40 pm IST

If Gehlot is pulled out Congress prez race, Digvijaya Singh and Mukul Wasnik might join the race.

Sep 26, 2022, 3:45 pm IST

Congress high command asks MP Congress chief Kamal Nath to immediately arrive in Delhi. He is further likely to mediate in Rajasthan Congress crisis: Sources

Sep 26, 2022, 4:49 pm IST

As the crisis deepens for Congress in Rajasthan, senior party leader Kamal Nath has been called in to defuse the situation after the efforts of state in-charge Ajay Maken and Observer Mallikarjun Kharge went in vain.

Sep 26, 2022, 4:49 pm IST

The Congress high command has asked Kamal Nath to reach Delhi immediately, news agency ANI reported citing sources.

Sep 26, 2022, 4:50 pm IST

AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal arrives at the residence of Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi, in Delhi.

#WATCH | AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal arrives at the residence of Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi, in Delhi. #RajasthanPoliticalCrisis pic.twitter.com/SCl26mGiXe
— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2022

Sep 26, 2022, 5:48 pm IST

Amid the ongoing political crisis in Rajasthan, Congress observers for the state, Mallikarjun Kharge and Ajay Maken reached Delhi on Monday after the Gehlot camp MLAs refused to hold a one-to-one meeting with them.

Sep 26, 2022, 5:49 pm IST

"We arrived in Delhi after meeting three MLAs in Jaipur. We are going to give our report to Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi," said Ajay Maken ahead of his meeting with Congress's interim president.

Sep 26, 2022, 6:27 pm IST

Mallikarjun Kharge and I briefed, in detail, the Congress chief about our meetings in Rajasthan. She asked us for a written report. We will give it to her by tonight or tomorrow: AICC Observer Ajay Maken, after meeting Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi

Sep 26, 2022, 6:49 pm IST

Ajay Maken on Monday said that MLAs who are loyal to Ashok Gehlot want the next chief minister to be made from their camp.

Sep 26, 2022, 6:58 pm IST

102 Gehlot loyalists had told us that someone among them must be made CM. We told them that their opinion would be presented before party chief & that no conditions are attached to resolutions passed; party chief decides after consultations: Ajay Maken

Sep 26, 2022, 7:38 pm IST

Congress leader Kamal Nath says, "I have no interest in (Congress) President post, only here for Navratri wishes."

Sep 26, 2022, 7:41 pm IST

Status-quo to be maintained till Congress president election nominations. Decision on issuing of show cause notices to miffed MLAs, vocal in public, will be taken after interim chief takes action on report by Observers: Sources

Sep 26, 2022, 7:47 pm IST

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also arrives at the residence of the party's interim president Sonia Gandhi. Several leaders of the party, including Ajay Maken, Mallikarjun Kharge, KC Venugopal & Kamal Nath, met the party chief today,

Sep 26, 2022, 9:12 pm IST

"It was 100% a conspiracy to remove the CM (Ashok Gehlot) and general secretary in charge was a part of it. I am not talking about anyone else, no charge on Kharge but only the General Secretary incharge," says Shanti Dhariwal.

Sep 26, 2022, 9:25 pm IST

High Command can make anyone CM, make a new CM or keep CM Gehlot intact, it should not be one of those who revolted against the party, tried to weaken it, State minister & Gehlot loyalist, Mahesh Joshi

Sep 27, 2022, 8:39 am IST

After two days of unrelenting drama in Rajasthan and a slew of meetings at 10 Janpath, the Congress high command has decided to maintain the status quo in the state till the nomination process for party chief polls is over (September 30).

Sep 27, 2022, 8:39 am IST

On Sunday, over 80 MLAs skipped the scheduled Legislature party meeting where a successor to Ashok Gehlot was to be named. Instead, they went to meet the Speaker, threatening mass resignation and refused to have one-on-one meetings with the Central leaders -- Ajay Maken and Mallikharjun Kharge -- sent by Sonia Gandhi.

Sep 27, 2022, 1:24 pm IST

Congress MLAs supporting Sachin Pilot for Chief Minister's post arrive at his residence in Jaipur.

Sep 27, 2022, 1:25 pm IST

The party's top leadership is restructuring the organisation for the 2023 elections here. Top leadership will decide (CM face), MLA Khiladi Lal Bairwa said.

Rajasthan | Congress MLAs supporting Sachin Pilot for Chief Minister's post arrive at his residence in Jaipur

The party's top leadership is restructuring the organisation for the 2023 elections here. Top leadership will decide (CM face): MLA Khiladi Lal Bairwa (in pic 1) pic.twitter.com/vxWhLbNqwv
— ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2022

Sep 27, 2022, 1:26 pm IST

Congress MLA Sachin Pilot is in constant touch with other MLAs apart from supporting MLAs. He has further asked his supporters to wait for the high command's decision: Sources

Sep 27, 2022, 1:33 pm IST

Congress MLA Sachin Pilot has told the Congress high command that Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot should not remain CM if he decides to contest for the party president post & that it is his responsibility to bring MLAs along: Sources

Sep 27, 2022, 3:46 pm IST

Ashok Gehlot is still in the race for the post of Congress President, sources have informed NDTV.

Sep 27, 2022, 4:04 pm IST

Congress leader Sachin Pilot reaches Delhi.

#RajasthanPoliticalCrisis | Congress leader Sachin Pilot reaches Delhi pic.twitter.com/DSO1ALcj7n
— ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2022

Sep 27, 2022, 4:17 pm IST

Congress leader Ambika Soni denies that she will file the nomination for the post of Congress President

WATCH | Delhi: Congress leader Ambika Soni denies that she will file the nomination for the post of Congress President pic.twitter.com/fLeGeiSujU
— ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2022

Sep 27, 2022, 4:42 pm IST

ongress leader, Pawan Kumar Bansal refutes rumours of him joining the Congress party presidential race, says, "These rumours are without any basis... the idea never crossed my mind."

#WATCH | Congress leader, Pawan Kumar Bansal refutes rumours of him joining the Congress party presidential race, says, "These rumours are without any basis... the idea never crossed my mind." pic.twitter.com/8CNqlQN72O
— ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2022