Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader CK Jaffer Sharief passed away on Sunday morning. He was getting into his car to offer Namaz on Friday when he collapsed. He was then taken to Bengaluru’s Fortis Hospital on Cunningham Road, where he was being treated until his death. He was 85.
Sharief, who has been out of public life was preparing an Urdu translation of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s book titled ‘India Wins Freedom’. The book was due to be launched on Wednesday by former President Pranab Mukherjee.
Sharief was the Railway Minister of State between 1991-1995 after being a junior railway minister in previous terms. He was one of the mass leaders of the party in Karnataka and was an eight-time MP, contesting and was also part of the Freedom Struggle before joining electoral politics.
A study conducted by Ministry of Statistics in 2004 found he was one of the few MPs who had spent 100% MPLAD Funds during the 13th Lok Sabha for developmental works in parliamentary constituencies.
With Sharief’s death coming close on the heels of another senior Congress leader and actor Ambareesh, Congress President Rahul Gandhi tweeted, “It is a day of tragedy for the Congress party, with another senior, loved & respected member of our family in Karnataka, Shri Jaffer Sharief Ji, passing away today. My condolences to his family, friends & supporters in their time of grief.
Reacting to his demise, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President Dinesh Gundu Rao said, “Shocked and saddened to hear about the demise of veteran Congress leader and former union minister Shri CK Jaffer Sharief, who rose from humble origins to dominate the political scene of the country for many decades. May his soul rest in peace.”
Senior Congress Minister RV Deshpande credited Sharief with reforming the railways. He said, “saddened to hear the passing away of veteran Congress leader and former Railway Minister Shri CK Jaffer Sharief. He reformed the railways in a most revolutionary way. A popular and good leader, who will always be remembered. My deepest condolences to his family.”
Congress party spokesperson Aishwarya Mahadev took to Twitter to say, “At the time when Karnataka is mourning the loss of her son, ಮಂಡ್ಯದ ಗಂಡು Ambareesh, it is heartbreaking to hear that another son of the soil CK Jaffer Sharief has passed away.He was a staunch congressman and a guiding force in Karnataka. My prayers and condolences to the bereaved. “
CM HD Kumaraswamy visited the hospital to pay his homage to the veteran politician.
Deeply pained to hear about the sad demise of Ex Minister Jaffer Sharief. His contribution to the state and country as railway minister is noteworthy. He was responsible for converting meter gauge to broad gauge across the country".
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) November 25, 2018
May his soul rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/JO63agjNl2
Leader of Opposition and former CM BS Yeddyurappa also issued a statement of condolence. He said, "tate has lost a seasoned and veteran politician in the death of Congress leader Jaffer Shariff. People of this country and Karnataka in particular will not forget Shariff's untiring work in bringing an uni-gauge track system in the country. It was during his period as country's railway minister, he got converted all kind of railway tracks in the country to broad gauge. He was also instrumental in bringing wheel and axle plant to Bengaluru and introducing several trains from the city linking New Delhi and other important destinations in the country. "
He added, "Shariff was known for his friendly nature. Despite he being a Congressman, he never discriminated the politicians when it came to developmental works. Let the god give the strength to his family members to bear the loss of their dear one. His death is a personal loss to me."