Bengaluru: Has the Congress finally decided to dump former Union railway minister, C. K. Jaffer Sharief, who has been giving it some trying moments of late?
Indicating that it may have, the Congress has reportedly chosen former Union minister, C. M. Ibrahim as its star campaigner in Muslim dominated constituencies across the country in the remaining four phases of the Lok Sabha elections.
If it goes ahead with the move, it could be a comeback of sorts for Mr Ibrahim, who lost the last assembly election from Bhadravati constituency by a humiliating 56,041 votes. Should he be chosen the party’s star Muslim campaigner, he will have Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and AICC general secretary, B. K. Hariprasad to thank as they reportedly persuaded the high command to let him campaign on behalf of the party’s candidates in the Hindi heartland.
A senior leader of the party claims the move is a clear indication that the Congerss is trying to fill Mr Sharief's shoes.
“Though Mr Ibrahim is seen as the biggest critic of late Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi and often criticised AICC president Sonia Gandhi in the years before he joined the party, the wheels of fortune seem to have turned in his favour now. Moreover, he has kept a low profile after his humiliating defeat in the last assembly elections from Bhadravati,” he noted.
In his view, being a good speaker, Mr Ibrahim could make a difference these elections and use the opportunity to get closer to the party high command.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mr Siddarmaiah and KPCC president, Dr G. Parameshwara have already begun campaigning for party candidates in Tamil Nadu.
