Priyank Kharge
Priyank Mallikarjun Kharge (born 22 November 1978) is an Indian politician from Indian National Congress and Serving as the Cabinet Minister in the Government of Karnataka. He is 3 time Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Chittapur Constituency in Kalaburagi District of Karnataka. Early life and background Priyank Kharge was born to Mallikarjun Kharge and Radhabai Kharge on 22 November 1978. His father Mallikarjun Kharge served as an 8 time (MLA) Member of Karnataka Legislative Assembly (In 1972, 1978, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1994, 1999, and 2004). Mallikarjun Kharge was elected to the Lok Sabha from Gulbarga constituency for the first time in 2009 (15th Lok Sabha) and got re-elected for second time in 2014 (16th Lok Sabha). Later on June 2020, He got elected to Rajya Sabha (The Upper house of the Indian parliament), he is the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha. Personal life He is married to Shruti Kharge. Priyank Kharge is an Ambedkarite and a Buddhist. Political career Priyank Kharge entered into the politics as an activist of the National Students' Union of India in 1998. In 1999, he became the NSUI College General Secretary. Later in 2001, He started serving as NSUI State General Secretary till 2005. He was also the Secretary of the Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress from 2005 to 2007. He served as a Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress General Secretary from 2007 to 2011. Priyank Kharge entered electoral politics by contesting from Chittapur in the 2009 Karnataka Assembly by-election but was defeated by Valmiki Nayak of Bharatiya Janata Party. In 2011, Priyank Kharge was elected as Vice President of Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress, till 2014. Priyank Kharge was elected to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly in 2013 and continues winning elections. In 2016, at the age of 38, he became the youngest minister to be sworn into the then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s cabinet as the Minister of IT, BT & Tourism. He has also served as a Cabinet Minister of Social Welfare in the coalition Government headed by H D Kumaraswamy. In 2018, he again won from Chittapur and was made the Social Welfare Minister under H.D.Kumarswamy led Congress – JD(S) Coalition Government. In 2023, he won from Chittapur once again, this time pitted against BJP's Manikanta Rathod, and is currently serving the Department of Information Technology and Biotechnology Position held Priyank Kharge entered politics as an activist of the National Students' Union of India in 1998. 1999 – NSUI College General Secretary. 2001 – 2005: State NSUI General Secretary. 2005-2007: Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress Secretary. 2007 – 2011: Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress General Secretary 2011 - 2014: Elected as Vice President of Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress Ministry Priyank is known for his practical and out-of-the-box thinking. During his tenures as minister for Social Welfare, IT & Tourism, he is known to have initiated reforms and schemes that have changed the landscape of the Departments and have also empowered the people. As the Social Welfare Minister As a man of firsts, he implemented several schemes