Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jan 22: If sources within the JDS are to be believed, Rehman Sharief, grandson of veteran Congress leader and former union minister, C K Jaffer Sharief, has shown interest to fight Hebbal by election to the state assembly on behalf of JDS.

Rehman Sharief has been trying to convince Congress leaders to allot party ticket to him. On Thursday, some Muslim leaders reportedly approached JDS state president, Kumaraswamy, and urged him to field Rehman Sharief from the above constituency as JDS candidate if he fails to secure Congress ticket.

It is said that Kumaraswamy remained non-committal on the proposal, and told the leaders that he would discuss this proposal with other leaders from the party.

Reliable sources said that JDS supremo, Deve Gowda, has advised Kumaraswamy to tread cautiously on the issue of Rehman Shariff's candidature, as the JDS is yet to forget the bitter experience it had with Jaffer Sharief. When Jaffer Shariff had failed to procure Congress ticket for Lok Sabha election from the city central constituency in the past, he had revolted against the party leadership and had promised to contest the election as JDS candidate from Mysuru constituency. However, by the time he completed Mecca pilgrimage before the election, he had changed his decision.

A meeting is being held at the residence of Deve Gowda on Saturday to hold discussions about choosing party candidates for the three assembly constituencies including Hebbal, which will go to bypolls shortly. MLAs from the city and city corporators have been asked to attend the meeting, sources added.