Kharge re-sworn into Rajya Sabha, pledges stronger Opposition accountability push
Synopsis
Mallikarjun Kharge's return to the Rajya Sabha is more than a routine swearing-in — it is a signal of intent. Re-elected unopposed from Karnataka and back as Leader of the Opposition, Kharge used his very first post-oath statement to put the government on notice ahead of the Monsoon Session.
Key Takeaways
Mallikarjun Kharge took oath as a Rajya Sabha member on 29 June after being re-elected from Karnataka .
The oath was administered by Vice President C.P.
Radhakrishnan in his Parliament chamber.
Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were present at the swearing-in ceremony.
Kharge was among three Congress candidates elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka on 11 June .
He pledged stronger coordination with the INDIA bloc ahead of the forthcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday, 29 June took oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha for a fresh term, having been re-elected to the Upper House from Karnataka on 11 June. The oath was administered by Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan in his chamber inside Parliament, with senior leaders from both the treasury and Opposition benches in attendance.
Who Was Present
The ceremony drew notable cross-party attendance. Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were present to witness Kharge's swearing-in. From the ruling side, Health Minister and Leader of the House J.P. Nadda, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh were also in attendance.
How Kharge Won Re-Election
On 11 June, three Congress candidates — including Kharge — along with one Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominee were declared elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka. The elections were necessitated by the end of terms of four sitting members: BJP's Iranna Kadadi and Narayana Koragappa, Congress's Kharge, and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda of the Janata Dal (Secular), whose tenures concluded on 25 June.
What Kharge Said After Taking Oath
After the ceremony, Kharge posted on X, stating: 'It is a matter of immense pride and responsibility to continue serving this august Upper House as the Leader of the Opposition.' He expressed gratitude to Vice President Radhakrishnan and Deputy Chairman Harivansh, and thanked Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress MPs, and party workers for their support.
Kharge specifically acknowledged the cooperation of floor leaders across political parties, particularly colleagues in the INDIA bloc. 'I look forward to even stronger coordination during the forthcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament so that, together, we can make the government of the day more accountable,' he said.
What Comes Next
Kharge reiterated that the Opposition would continue to raise issues affecting citizens and ensure their concerns receive parliamentary attention. 'We will continue to raise the burning concerns, aspirations and voices of the people with sincerity, conviction and determination. That remains our foremost responsibility, and I shall discharge it with the utmost commitment,' he added. With the Monsoon Session of Parliament approaching, Kharge's return to the Rajya Sabha as Leader of the Opposition sets up a sharper confrontation between the treasury benches and a reinvigorated Opposition bloc.
Point of View
But the real test lies ahead. As Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, his effectiveness will be measured not by oath-taking optics but by whether the INDIA bloc can hold together a coherent legislative strategy during the Monsoon Session. The presence of both Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra signals a deliberate show of party unity — one that the Congress needs to project after a bruising cycle of state election losses. Whether that unity translates into sustained parliamentary pressure on the government remains the open question.
NationPress
29 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Mallikarjun Kharge take oath in the Rajya Sabha again?
Kharge's previous Rajya Sabha term expired on 25 June 2025, requiring him to seek re-election. He was re-elected unopposed from Karnataka on 11 June and took fresh oath on 29 June to continue as a member of the Upper House.
How was Kharge re-elected to the Rajya Sabha?
Three Congress candidates, including Kharge, and one BJP nominee were declared elected unopposed to four Rajya Sabha seats from Karnataka on 11 June. No contest was required as the number of candidates matched the available seats.
Who attended Kharge's Rajya Sabha oath-taking ceremony?
The ceremony was attended by Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. From the ruling side, Health Minister J.P. Nadda, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh were also present.
What did Kharge say after taking oath?
Kharge posted on X that it was 'a matter of immense pride and responsibility' to continue serving as Leader of the Opposition. He called for stronger coordination with the INDIA bloc during the upcoming Monsoon Session to hold the government accountable.
Which other Rajya Sabha seats from Karnataka fell vacant alongside Kharge's?
Four Karnataka seats fell vacant: those held by BJP's Iranna Kadadi and Narayana Koragappa, Congress's Kharge, and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda of the Janata Dal (Secular), all of whose terms ended on 25 June.
