Kharge Looks Back On Missed CM Opportunity: 'Worked Hard For 5 Years, Efforts Went In Vain'

Last Updated:July 27, 2025, 21:18 IST

Mallikarjun Kharge was disappointed about missing the Karnataka CM position in 1999 despite his efforts as Congress Legislative Party leader.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge | File Image/PTI

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday publicly expressed his disappointment over missing the Karnataka Chief Minister’s position in 1999.

While speaking at an event in Bengaluru’s Vijayapura, he recounted his efforts as the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader to bring the party to power in 1999 only to see SM Krishna become the chief minister instead.

“I became Congress Legislature Party Leader and tried my best and our party came to power. However, SM Krishna, who joined us just four months ago, was made the Chief Minister," he said.

Kharge further lamented that all his efforts went in in vain. “I had worked hard for 5 years. You should never have greed in your heart, if you do then you won’t get what you want," he added, reflecting on the turn of events.

“The service I rendered went in vain, Swamiji," Kharge expressed to head of the Belimatha Mahasamsthana (Beli Mutt), who was present at the event, reiterating that his hard work at that time felt wasted.

Kharge further highlighted his political journey from a block president to the AICC president, emphasising that he never pursued power but rather it came to him naturally.

Meanwhile, State Minister HK Patil refrained from commenting on Kharge’s remarks saying that he hasn’t heard his speech. However, Patil mentioned his own experience as a leader of the opposition.

“I was also a leader of the opposition. He was the leader of the opposition in the Assembly. I was the leader of the opposition in the Legislative Council three times. We just do our service," he said.

SM Krishna became the Chief Minister of Karnataka in October 1999 following a decisive victory for the grand-old-party in the elections. As Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, he spearheaded the party’s campaign.

The 1999 assembly elections saw the Congress secure a significant majority, winning 132 out of 224 seats. This strong mandate allowed Krishna to assume the top post, a position he held until May 2004.

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...

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Location :

Vijayapura, India, India

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News politics Kharge Looks Back On Missed CM Opportunity: 'Worked Hard For 5 Years, Efforts Went In Vain'