CK Jaffer Sharief withdraws resignation

The former Union Minister withdraws his resignation from Congress after a "cordial" meeting with party chief Sonia Gandhi.

Sulking leader CK Jaffer Sharief withdrew his resignation from the Congress this evening after a "cordial" meeting with party chief Sonia Gandhi on whom he lavished praise.

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"I have withdrawn my resignation. Party is above all," said the 71-year-old Sharief, who had resigned from the party apparently miffed over his grandson being denied a party ticket in the upcoming state elections.

Sharief, who was defiant two days back, was a changed man today but did not specify what assurance Gandhi had given to him.

The former Union Minister's resignation from the party had sent shockwaves through the party ahead of the Karnataka assembly polls where the stakes are high for the party in a virtual direct tussle with an upbeat BJP.

"She (Gandhi) said secularism and unity is of prime importance. I accepted what she said," he told reporters in New Delhi.

Sharief is one of the senior most leaders from the minority community which has a sizeable presence in the southern state.
His departure from the party would have sent a wrong signal to the electorate. Reports had it that Sharief was in touch with NCP and BSP which prompted the high command to go for the damage control.