Priyank Kharge

Cabinet Minister in Karnataka Government

Priyank‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ Kharge is a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress from the state of Karnataka. He is the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj in the current Cabinet. Through the Chittapur constituency, he has been actively advocating the use of digital governance, rural empowerment, and youth engagement in politics.

Being the son of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, he has become the principal brain and trendy face of the Congress in the politics of the Karnataka ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌State.

By Rashmi | Friday, February 6, 2026, 11:34:41 AM [IST]

Priyank Kharge Biography

Priyank‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ Mallikarjun Kharge was born in Kalaburagi (Gulbarga), Karnataka, on 22 November 1978. Keeping in line with the family tradition, he is politically engaged and quite a powerful figure with the Indian National Congress leadership. He is the son of the Honorable Mallikarjun Kharge, the President of the Congress.

One could say his education is unique among politicians, as he has an advanced diploma in Graphic Design and Animation. Afterward, he stayed relevant and connected with public life through the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), then he moved up within the state Congress.

He was first elected by the people of the Chittapur constituency in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly in 2013 and has been re-elected since then. He has been entrusted with holding the significant ministerial positions of IT & BT, Tourism, and Social Welfare. Among other things, he is recognized for his innovative and futuristic views on public administration and innovation, where he is also a leading voice for digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and social equity.

He is currently (2025) the Cabinet Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj in the Karnataka government, with major responsibilities in rural infrastructure and the implementation of development ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌programs.

Priyank Kharge Personal Life

Full Name	Priyank Kharge
Date of Birth	22 Nov 1978 (Age 47)
Place of Birth	Gulbarga,Karnataka
Party Name	Indian National Congress
Education	12th Pass
Profession	Business
Father's Name	Mallikarjun kharge
Mother's Name	Radhabai Kharge
Spouse's Name	Shruthi P Kharge
Spouse's Profession	Business
Religion	Hindu
Caste	Dalit
Current Constituency	Chittapur

Priyank Kharge Net Worth

Net Worth

₹16.54 CRORE

ASSETS

₹16.83 CRORE

Liabilities

₹28.75 LAKHS

Education Qualification of Priyank Kharge

Priyank Kharge holds an advanced diploma in Graphic design and Animation.

Interesting Facts about Priyank Kharge

When he was appointed to the cabinet in 2016, he was the youngest minister to be sworn into the cabinet.

He holds an Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design and computer animation.

He loves to read books, especially Fiction books.

Political Timeline of Priyank Kharge

2023 : Priyank Kharge won the 2023 assembly election from the Chitapur constituency as an INC candidate. Also, took oath as the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister under Siddaramaiah's government.
2018 : Contested from Chitapur constituency in assembly elections from Indian National Congress party and won by a margin of 4393 votes. And he was given social welfare and backward class portfolio in the H.D. Kumarswamy govt.
2016 : He introduced the MLA helpline for the constituency, a first in Hyderabad-Karnataka.
2016 : Kharge proposed and initiated a School of Economics to be set up in Bengaluru to commemorate Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s 125th birth Anniversary along with the London School of Economics.
2016 : Became a part of NRI Policy, Govt. of Karnataka, and Industrial Policy (HK Region).
2016 : Attended World Education Forum and British Council Delegation, London.
2016 : He was imbibed in the Siddaramaiah Govt as IT & BT minister.
2014 : He joined the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association delegation, in London.
2013 : Kharge contested from the Chitapur constituency in assembly elections from the Indian national Congress party and won over BJP candidate Valmiki Nayak by a huge margin of 30000 votes.
2011 : He was appointed as vice president – Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress Committee. Served in this post till 2013.
2008 : Contested from Chitapur constituency in assembly elections from Indian National Congress party and lost to BJP candidate by a margin of 1600 votes.
2007 : He was elevated to General Secretary of the Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress Committee. He served in this post till 2011.
2005 : He became Secretary of the Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress Committee.
2001 : He served as General Secretary of Karnataka State NSUI till 2005.
2000 : He became College General Secretary: NSUI ( National Students' Union of India) till 2001.
1999 : Priyank Kharge formally joined Indian National Congress.

Priyank Kharge Early Life

1996 - 2001: He was the NCC Cadet (Air Wing) for over five years. Selected as Best Cadet for 2 years. Attended National Integration Camps in Goa & Karnataka. He attended Pre Republic Day Selection Camp in Rourkela, Orissa. He attended over three basic camps in Karnataka. Chosen among 5 in Karnataka for training in engine gliders.

Priyank Kharge Achievements

He is the first one to conceptualize the center of excellence in aviation/aerospace for govt of Karnataka.

Conceptualized employable-based training scheme “Yuva Yuga” for Dept. of Labour, Govt of Karnataka.

Instrumental in initiating National Investment Manufacturing Zone in Chittapur, a 12500 acres industrial township.

Initiated the e-ICDS on a trial basis in Anganwadis of Tumkur.
Priyank has also played a very significant role in ensuring the amendment of Article 371 (J) for the people of Hyderabad Karnataka.

Initiated the country-specific pavilions for global investors meet, Invest Karnataka.

Kharge contributed to the Ease of Doing Business.

Priyank Kharge Latest News & Updates

Non-BJP states are always short-changed, says Minister Priyank Kharge
Kharge criticized the Center for allegedly under-allocating funds to states not governed by the BJP, including Karnataka, despite the state's large revenue contribution, and questioned the fairness of federal funding.
Recent Push for Internal Regulation on Govt. Staff Attending RSS Events & Threats
Once‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ again, Kharge sent a letter to the Chief Minister requesting the implementation of the Karnataka Civil Services Conduct Rules to stop government officials from being allowed to attend the events of the RSS. After his letter, it was reported that threats and insults to him were triggered; the Home Minister, however, confirming the threats, assured increased security for ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌Kharge.
Demand to Ban RSS Activities on Government Premises
In‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ October 2025, Kharge communicated to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah through a letter that he should ban all such activities of the RSS in government institutions, schools, public grounds and any other places under the control of the state. According to him, the RSS was holding “shakhas” (sessions) in the areas of schools, using sticks, indoctrinating the youth with vile ideas and hence, were going against the nature of the secular framework of ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌India.
Voter-fraud Allegation in Aland Constituency
In‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ September 2025, Kharge, along with a congress leader, held the ECI and Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer responsible for "twisting" the facts of the voter-fraud case in Aland constituency 2023. He stated that nearly 5,994 out of 6,018 Form 7 were forged (fraudulent voter deletions) and asked why the CEO's office was requesting more data in 2025 if the case had been already ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌settled.
Legal Notice from an RSS Volunteer Over Comments About the RSS
In‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ September 2025, a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) volunteer from Thane filed a defamation suit against Priyank Kharge. Kharge, in an interview, had reportedly called the RSS a body with “extreme views” and one that is “anti-Constitution”. The volunteer called for a total apology without any ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌conditions.
Social Media Platforms Suppression Claim
In‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ February 2025, Kharge alleged through X (previously Twitter) that significant social-media platforms (X, Meta, YouTube, Facebook) were intentionally limiting the content that criticized Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and the BJP government in order to suppress democratic discourse. He is now engaging with debates on digital rights and freedom of speech which is an indirect way of showing that his public persona is not limited to governance at the state level ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌only.
Remarks about Veer Savarkar’s portrait in Belagavi Assembly
In‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ December 2023, Kharge in the Karnataka Assembly spoke about Veer Savarkar and said that, in his opinion, he would have taken off the Savarkar portrait from the Suvarna Soudha if he was the one in charge. He doubted the contributions of Savarkar, asking if he had done anything worthy of the title ‘Veer’.
His comments were met with criticism by BJP leaders in Karnataka, who branded him as a person disrespective of characters from history and provoking unnecessary ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌disputes.
Irregularities‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ alleged in KEONICS during previous BJP rule
During a press meet in November 2023, as the IT/BT Minister of Karnataka, Priyank Kharge, had accused the ex-BJP regime of orchestrating shadow financial transactions of about ₹500 crores in KEONICS (Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Ltd.). According to his words, the audit report is very clear that the commission rates "more than 400 %" for certain instances."

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