Sharief will not leave Cong: Kharge

Gulbarga, Apr 25(UNI) Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee(KPCC) President Mallikarjuna Kharge today said senior party leader and former Union Minister Jaffer Sharief will not leave the party over denial of party ticket to his kin.

Talking to newspersons here, he said he had no information over the speculation that Mr Sharief would switch-over to the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

Admitting that some of the deserved party aspirants were denied tickets to contest the ensuing Assembly elections in Karnataka, Mr Kharge said it was due to various factors, including social justice.

Ruling out changes in the list of nominees announced by the Party's Central Election Committee(CEC) and Central Screening Committee(CSC), Mr Kharge said a large number of party workers had opted to contest the elections, as the party stands a fair chance to win the poll.

Referring to violent reactions of the party leaders, who were denied tickets, the KPCC President said disciplinary proceedings would be initiated against the erroneous leaders.

He said the party would announce its third and final list for the remaining 55 seats on April 27.

Criticising the election manifesto of the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP), he alleged that it was a replica of the Congress manifesto.

Earlier Mr Kharge was greeted with vehement protests led by former party legislator Kailashnath Patil and the son of former Karnataka Chief Minister Veerendra Patil, who was denied ticket for the poll.

Police had a tough time before escorting Mr Kharge to safety.

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