Date:12/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/12/stories/2008051252140300.htm

Karnataka

Don’t give a fractured verdict: Sharief

Staff Correspondent

Chitradurga: Claming that it was only the Congress which could provide a stable Government in the State, the former Union Minister C.K. Jaffer Sharief has called upon the people not to give fractured verdict in the Assembly elections which might result in another coalition government. Addressing a gathering here on Sunday, Mr. Sharief said that had the people given mandate to one party in the previous elections, the State would not have faced mid-term polls.

Welfare of poor

Mr. Sharief said that he has been associated with the Congress for decades, and had seen the sacrifices made by its leaders for the nation. “The former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv Gandhi sacrificed their lives for the nation, have the leaders of any other party made such sacrifice?” he asked.

Speaking about the initiatives by the Congress for the poor, Mr. Sharief said that it was Mr. Rajiv Gandhi who took lead to strengthen panchayati raj institutions for the welfare of rural areas.