After Win, Mallikarjun Kharge Wanted To Visit Sonia Gandhi. She Had A Different Plan

Mallikarjun Kharge's first move after being declared the next Congress president was to seek an appointment with interim chief Sonia Gandhi at her 10, Janpath home in Delhi. He did not get one.
Sources say after a 30-minute huddle with leaders, Sonia Gandhi decided that given the occasion, it really should be the other way round.

So, from 10 Janpath, the meeting shifted to 10 Rajaji Marg, Mr Kharge's home. It was Sonia Gandhi who drove down, with a bouquet.
Sonia Gandhi's gesture marks a break from convention in the Congress.

The Congress leadership has rarely visited any party leader's home. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was an exception.
In 2015, Sonia Gandhi led a Congress march from the party office to Manmohan Singh's home in a show of solidary after the two-time Prime Minister was summoned in a coal scam case.

With Sonia Gandhi's visit to Mr Kharge's home, the Gandhis hoped to send out a message to the ranks - that Mr Kharge is the new chief.