Sharief will not leave Congress: Kharge

Gulbarga, Apr 25(UNI) KPCC president Mallikarjuna Kharge expressed confidence that senior party leader Jaffer Sharief will not leave the party over denial of party ticket to his kin.

Addressing newspersons here today Mr Kharge said that he had no information over the speculation that his senior colleague in the party Mr Sharief will desert the party and join BSP.

Admitting that some of the deserved party aspirants were denied tickets to contest the coming assembly elections in Karnataka Mr Kharge said that it was due to various factors including ensuring social justice in accommodating party nominees to fight the elections.

Ruling out affecting any changes in the list of nominees announced by Party's Central Election Committee and Central Screening Committee Mr Kharge said that large number of party workers have opted to contest elections as the party has better chance to win coming elections.

Referring to violent reactions shown by those party leaders who have lost out in finding place in Congress list Mr Kharge warned of taking diciplenery actions against them. The party will announce its third and final list for the remaining 55 seats on April 27.

Criticising the Election Manifesto released by BJP Mr Kharge charged that it is the replica of the Congress manifesto which has released earlier. "The BJP has copied Congress manifesto" Mr Kharge said.

Earlier Mr Kharge was greeted with strong protest led by former party legislator Kailashnath Patil the son of former Karnataka Chief Minister Veerendra Patil who was denied party ticket to contest the coming elections, on his arrival at Railway Station. The police had tough time to pacify the agitating party workers and escort KPCC president to safety.

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