Bangalore: Jaffer Sharief Resents Rise of Migrants in Congress

Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Sep 7: Former union railway minister and veteran Congress leader, C K Jaffer Sharief, has openly revolted against the party, which he says, has of late, been accommodating migrant leaders from other parties at the cost of original, sincere, Congressmen. After several rounds of internal squabbles within the Congress, the issue he has now raked is likely to take the centre stage again, at a time when the party is preparing to choose its next state unit leader.

The leaders, during the party’s recent Padyatra to Bellary against illegal mining, had projected that the Congress leaders are united. It success of the Padayatra made one to believe that the state Congress leaders have realized the importance of staying together. However, the fact that the row over migrants and original Congressmen has been kicked up again, drives home the point that all is not well within the party.

“The original Congressmen have been swept to a corner. The party is wilting under the grip of migrant leaders. All important posts including the state presidentship, opposition leader in the assembly, and Youth Congress president, have been cornered by the migrants,” a fuming Sharief said, raising a voice of dissent. He noted that the respect and opportunities that were offered to those who crossed over to the Congress from other parties are not being given to those who have served the party sincerely all through their lives. He also accused the present KPCC president of giving prominence to people who have shifted allegiance from other parties, and taking decisions after holding discussions with such leaders alone. “The party activists have been disillusioned. If the same situation continues, and if the original Congressmen continue to face neglect, the party has no future in the state,” he declared.

On the question of why the issue has suddenly cropped up, Jaffer said that the party’s organizational elections are in progress. He expressed the opinion that a new state president needs to be chosen, and therefore, felt that the timing of his comments was right. “I have directly given vent to my opinions, without resorting to behind-the-scene manoeuvres. My only wish is that the Congressmen who have all along been with the party, and who have been working for the party with total commitment, reposing unflinching faith in the party’s principles and ideologies, should get the opportunities,” he clarified.

He explained that he felt it was his duty, as a committed Congressman, to express what he feels right in the interests of the party. “Let debates and discussions be held within the party circles on the points raised by me,” he added.