At a function to commemorate Kharge's 50 years in electoral politics with a felicitation ceremony and a special book dedicated to his political journey, Sonia Gandhi called Kharge the "best suited" leader to helm Congress in the battle for "India's soul", arguing that "those in power, unhinged from constitutional and institutional values" are demolishing the institutions.
Kharge warned that "those in power" do not believe in our "Constitution, flag and parliamentary democracy", and are waiting for the right time to change them. He expressed hope that the opposition will stay united.
CPM chief Sitaram Yechury, DMK's TR Baalu and RJD's Manoj Jha shared the dais with Sonia Gandhi and Kharge, and expressed confidence that the alliance will combat the "threat to democracy" and "communal harmony" posed by the BJP government. Yechury brushed aside Congress's failure to share seats with his party in Telangana polls as a blip in the brotherhood, while Baalu and Jha conveyed the wishes of their leaders MK Stalin, and Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi Yadav, as also their commitment to the INDIA bloc. Some other party MPs present included VCK chief Thol Thirumavalan, TMC's Dola Sen and Shiv Sena's Priyanka Chaturvedi.
"It is not just my party, but entire India wants that," Yechury said about Congress role in the opposition leadership.
Baalu said, "Congress holds a high position in the minds of the people and it has to be nourished beyond 2024.... Congress will be supported by DMK and all 28 parties in unitedly opposing and defeating the evils...."
