BANGALORE: On the eve of his 10th electoral battle seeking a ninth-term in the Lok Sabha, Congress veteran C K Jaffer Sharief was on Monday struck by a personal tragedy with the death of his eldest son Abdul Karim (52). Karim died after a prolonged illness at the St John’s Medical College Hospital here.
Seventy-six-old Sharief was widowed recently — wife Amina Bie died in December 2008. He lost his younger son Khader Nawaz in 1999.
Two daughters are Sharief ’s surviving offsprings now. Though Sharief ’s sons never made it politically, his grandsons are known to be politically inclined.
Sharief, who is the Congress candidate in Bangalore North segment, was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1971. He retained his membership for eight consecutive terms till 2004 — except the brief 11th Lok Sabha (1996-98) which he did not contest. He is currently pitched against D B Chandregowda — the long-term Congressman who is now in the BJP.
Congress leaders including AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka Ghulam Nabi Azad called on Sharief and offered their condolences.