Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met veteran Congress leader CK Jaffer Sharief in an attempt to pacify him, after he publicly gave vent to his displeasure over denial of ticket by the party to contest Lok Sabha polls and hinted at joining JDS.
Siddaramaih was greeted by Sharief's supporters with slogans "we want justice" at his residence, as they also tried to gherao his car as he tried to make his way out.
Emerging out of an hour-long meeting, the Chief Minister said, "I have told him (Sharief) that we will talk to high command on the matter...I have asked him not to take any hasty decision..."
Eight-time Lok Sabha member Sharief lost his claim for Bangalore Central seat to Youth Congress wing Chief Rizwan Arshad.
Sharief said, "I am going on a pilgrimage to Mecca...I am visiting house of God, whatever God tells me I will act accordingly."
He said, "...he (Siddaramaiah) had come as a Congress Chief Minister, as a leader of the state; he had come to understand my feeling and persuade me."
My aim is to challenge communal forces and unite secular forces, he added.
In response to a question, he said "no one from the high command has contacted me so far."
Sharief had met JDS supremo HD Deve Gowda recently and given indications that he was keeping open the option of joining his party.
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