No question of lifting ban on sale of arrack: Jaffer Sharif

Mysore, May 6 (UNI) Senior Congress leader Jaffer Sharif today clarified that there was no question of lifting the ban on sale of arrack in Karnataka and the issue was not in the Congress manifesto for the Assembly elections.

Speaking to newspersons here, he said a personal opinion was expressed by senior Congress leader Janardhan Poojary to this effect and there was no point in discussing such issues further.

On the crisis of inflation in the country, he said the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had already taken the necessary steps to bring down the prices of essential commodities. It would not affect the Congress party's prospects in the ensuing Assembly elections in the State, he added.

The party would come to power on its own in the coming Assembly election, he claimed.

When asked aout the number of leaders aspiring to become the next Chief Minister in the event of the Congress coming to power, he said the party had its own 'processes' and the High Command and the elected members would take a suitable decision.

UNI BSP RR US2057