Veteran Congressman and former Union Minister Sharief passes away
What's the story
Veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister CK Jaffer Sharief passed away today at a private hospital in Bengaluru following a cardiac arrest, doctors said. He was 85.
Sharief was hospitalized after he collapsed while getting into his car for attending the Friday namaz.
Family sources said Sharief was not keeping well for quite some time. He is survived by two daughters.
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Day of tragedy for the Congress party, tweets Rahul Gandhi
It is a day of tragedy for the Congress party, with another senior, loved respected member of our family in Karnataka, Shri Jaffer Sharief Ji, passing away today. My condolences to his family, friends supporters in their time of grief. #JafferSharief
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 25, 2018
Career
Sharief had a political career spanning 50 years
Congress MLA and Sharief's family friend, NA Harris, told that the doctors had planned to implant pacemaker in his heart but he died before he could be brought to the operation table.
Born on November 3, 1933, at Challakere in Chitradurga, Sharief had a political career spanning 50 years.
He launched his career under the tutelage of the former Chief Minister S Nijalingappa.
Politics
Sharief sided with Indira Gandhi after split in Congress
Sharief had, however, sided with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi after the split in the Congress.
He was a seven-time MP from Bengaluru North constituency and had served as the Railway Minister in the PV Narasimha Rao government between 1991-1995.
Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who rushed to the hospital, said Sharief was close to his father and former Prime Minister HD Devegowda.
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'Sharief emerged as leader of every citizen of the state'
"Jaffer Sharief was not restricted to the minority community but had emerged as a leader of every citizen of the state. He was a great leader who gifted various Central Government schemes, especially railway projects, to the state," Kumaraswamy said.
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Karnataka has lost its 'very own son': Gundu Rao
One of @INCIndia’s senior most leaders, many times MP and one of India’s most successful Railway minister, Karnataka’s very own son Sri CK Jaffer Shareef has passed away.
— Dinesh Gundu Rao (@dineshgrao) November 25, 2018
A national leader who had a great connect across all communities, a truly secular leader.
My condolences.
Relations
Sharief had on occasions threatened to quit the Congress
Sharief had on occasions threatened to quit the Congress, sulking over being "sidelined" in the party and being denied ticket, but had withdrawn it on being pacified by the party high command.
The RSS, with which Sharief had maintained cordial relations, condoled his death and said he was well known to many senior sangh functionaries.
Several other political leaders also condoled Sharief's death.
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My condolences to Sharief's family, tweeted the President
Sorry to hear of the passing of veteran political figure Shri C.K. Jaffer Sharief, who served the nation in many capacities including as Railway Minister. My condolences to his family members and associates in Karnataka and elsewhere #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 25, 2018
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Saddened by the demise of Sharief, tweeted PMO office
Saddened by the demise of Shri C. K. Jaffer Sharief Ji. As a veteran Parliamentarian, he enriched parliamentary proceedings. He was an effective voice for Karnataka’s aspirations in Delhi. Condolences to his family and supporters: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 25, 2018
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Sharief ji was an exceptional parliamentarian: Arun Jaitley
Condolences on the sad demise of Shri C. K. Jaffer Sharief ji, a veteran leader an exceptional parliamentarian. May God give strength to the bereaved family and supporters. May the departed soul rest in peace.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) November 25, 2018
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Extremely shocked and pained at passing away of Sharief: Pranab
Extremely shocked and pained at the passing away of Shri CK Jaffer Sharief. I was to release his Urdu Translation of Maulana Azad's "India Wins Freedom" on November 28, 2018 at Bangalore. The Almighty had something else in store. May his soul Rest in Peace.
— Pranab Mukherjee (@CitiznMukherjee) November 25, 2018
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Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot condoled the death of Sharief
My heartfelt condolences at the passing away of veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister, Sh CK Jaffer Sharief.. May God give his family members strength to bear this loss. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/eJ8Xqvvx2v
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) November 25, 2018