Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge took oath as member of Rajya Sabha on Monday following his re-election to the upper house from Karnataka.
The oath was administered by Rajya Sabha chairman and Vice President C P Radhakrishnan in his chamber.
Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi were present during the oath-taking.
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Radhakrishnan congratulated Kharge after his oath-taking and said the house would surely benefit from his long experience.
Health Minister J P Nadda, who is also a leader of the house, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, besides Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, were also present on the occasion.
On June 11, three Congress candidates, including Kharge, and one BJP nominee were declared elected "unanimously" to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka.
Rajya Sabha elections were announced to fill four seats from the state because the terms of current members - Iranna Kadadi and Narayana Koragappa (both from the BJP), Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress, and former PM H D Deve Gowda from JD(S) ended on June 25.
Kharge then sought re-election to Parliament's upper house from Karnataka.
'Matter of immense pride and responsibility'
Kharge shared the glimpses of his oath-taking ceremony on social media platform X, saying "It is a matter of immense pride and responsibility to continue serving this august Upper House as the Leader of the Opposition."
He extended gratitude to VP Radhakrishnan and Deputy Chairman, Shri Harivansh, for their continued support and also thanked Congress leadership, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
"I am equally grateful to the Floor Leaders of all political parties, especially our colleagues in the INDIA bloc, and the wider Opposition, for their cooperation and camaraderie," he said, adding he looks forward to even stronger coordination during the forthcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament so that they can make the present government more accountable.
"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 said.
