Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Apr 5: Veteran Congress leader and former union minister, Jaffer Sharief, who was on a pilgrimage to Mecca, and had kindled hopes among the JD(S) leaders that he would canvass for their candidates for the coming Lok Sabha election, has instead, chosen to stay away from electoral politics.
Sharief, who had told the leaders on his return from pilgrimage that he was not feeling well, suddenly left for Ooty in Tamil Nadu for rest and recuperation, indicating that he does not want to canvass for any political party.
JD(S) leaders, who had said that Sharief had promised them of support during campaigning, have been taken aback by this unexpected development. At the same time, Sharief’s move has brought cheers to Congress camp, with even Congress candidate from Bangalore (central) constituency, Rizwan Arshad, claiming that Sharief continues to be in Congress, and that he would be invited soon to campaign for him.
While it is unclear as to whether Jaffer Sharief continues to be in Congress, it is almost certain that he will not support third front or JD(S) during the Lok Sabha election. Sharief, who had been identified with JD(S) leaders after he was denied Congress ticket from Bangalore (central), had left for Mecca.
It was earlier reported that he had faxed his resignation to Congress national president, Sonia Gandhi, from Mecca, but state Congress leaders continued to maintain that Sharief was still with them.