<p> After being denied ticket to contest from Bangalore Central, senior Congress leader Jaffer Sharief declared he is happy because he is free from the ‘bonded labour’ to the party. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The 83-year-old Sharief, who has served the party in many capacities and was railway minister, dropped hints he may join the JD(S) to give a push to formation of a third front to fight communal forces. <br /><br />He is expected to take a final call after his return from a trip to Mecca. <br /><br />When Deccan Herald sought his reaction over high command’s decision to set aside his request and field Youth Congress wing chief Rizwan Arshad, he said, “The party had become a liability to some of us. God has been extremely kind to set us free and think about the fu ture of the country. When I go to Mecca, I will seek the blessings and guidance of God to take future decisions.”<br /><br />Asked whether he has the energy to contest polls, the octogenarian shot back saying he has energy to contest from anywhere. On whether he would be severing his long-standing ties with Congress, he said it seems time has come to bid goodbye. <br /><br />Asked whether Congress would accommodate him as governor, he said, “Why should I bother about that party? What is left in the Congress now?”. To a query whether his letter to Sonia Gandhi not to field a candidate against JD(S) leader H D Deve Gowda in Hassan made him lose the ticket, Sharief said he made the statement in good faith. <br />Gowda was prime minister and has been a fighter. “At this old age, he should not face a rival. If that is not being appreciated, then what can I do? Battles have to be fought.” <br />On whether Sharief will be given a ticket, party leader H D Kumarswamy said: H D Deve Gowda and Jaffer Sharief have a long-standing political relationship. Like Gowda, this will likely be Sharief’s last elections. We have left the decision to Sharief, if he wants to join JD(S) and fight elections.”</p>
<p> After being denied ticket to contest from Bangalore Central, senior Congress leader Jaffer Sharief declared he is happy because he is free from the ‘bonded labour’ to the party. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The 83-year-old Sharief, who has served the party in many capacities and was railway minister, dropped hints he may join the JD(S) to give a push to formation of a third front to fight communal forces. <br /><br />He is expected to take a final call after his return from a trip to Mecca. <br /><br />When Deccan Herald sought his reaction over high command’s decision to set aside his request and field Youth Congress wing chief Rizwan Arshad, he said, “The party had become a liability to some of us. God has been extremely kind to set us free and think about the fu ture of the country. When I go to Mecca, I will seek the blessings and guidance of God to take future decisions.”<br /><br />Asked whether he has the energy to contest polls, the octogenarian shot back saying he has energy to contest from anywhere. On whether he would be severing his long-standing ties with Congress, he said it seems time has come to bid goodbye. <br /><br />Asked whether Congress would accommodate him as governor, he said, “Why should I bother about that party? What is left in the Congress now?”. To a query whether his letter to Sonia Gandhi not to field a candidate against JD(S) leader H D Deve Gowda in Hassan made him lose the ticket, Sharief said he made the statement in good faith. <br />Gowda was prime minister and has been a fighter. “At this old age, he should not face a rival. If that is not being appreciated, then what can I do? Battles have to be fought.” <br />On whether Sharief will be given a ticket, party leader H D Kumarswamy said: H D Deve Gowda and Jaffer Sharief have a long-standing political relationship. Like Gowda, this will likely be Sharief’s last elections. We have left the decision to Sharief, if he wants to join JD(S) and fight elections.”</p>