Kalaburagi: Modi charisma won't work in Karnataka, says Mallikarjun Kharge

Kalaburagi: While acknowledging the rout of the Congress in states like UP and Uttarkhand, leader of the party Mallikarjun Kharge, however, put up a brave front here on Saturday, asserting that no one could make the country “Congress-mukt.” Taking exception to PM Modi’s vow to free the country of the party, he said only the people had a say in this and not any one individual. “In a democracy any party can be decimated by the will of the people but not by the words of any leader. The Modi charisma may have worked in Uttar Pradesh, but it cannot be replicated in Karnataka which is going to the polls next year. We will rectify our mistakes and do our best to see that we return to govern the state,” he asserted. The veteran leader defended party vice-president, Rahul Gandhi against critics holding him responsible for the Congress’ poor performance in the elections, and insisted his leadership was pivotal to the party’s well being.