Sharief for Kharge as CM

Congress leader Jaffer Sharief said that it was time for introspection for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other Congress leaders given that Assembly elections are fast nearing.

“At a time when the Congress had lost its footing elsewhere in the country, the party had come to power in Karnataka. The same atmosphere prevails even now, and it’s important that the state Congress sets the trend. The party’s survival in Karnataka is imminent,” he said in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Sharief, who released a book ‘Prabuddha’, based on his party colleague Mallikarjun Kharge, also said that Kharge should have ideally become the chief minister.

“When somebody from a different party can join the Congress and become a chief minister, why not original Congressmen? I am fully aware that by making this statement, I will become the villain in the party, but I am not scared,” he added. He said that Dalit leaders like Kharge and G Parameshwara are experienced and capable leaders. “The oppressed community should get suitable positions. The chief minister’s post is nobody’s asset,” he added. Seconding Sharief, Home Minister G Parameshwara too said Kharge should have become the chief minister. “Unfortunately, he missed the opportunity several times,” he added. Welcoming former minister K J George’s resignation, Sharief said, “It is best to resign when one is facing such serious charges.” The book is written by Anand Kumar.