New Delhi: Soon after reports of CK Jaffer Sharief's death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of the former Union Minister. "Saddened by the demise of Shri C K Jaffer Sharief Ji. As a veteran Parliamentarian, he enriched parliamentary proceedings. He was an effective voice for Karnataka's aspirations in Delhi. Condolences to his family and supporters", the PM's office released the statement.
Leaders from across the political spectrum also paid tributes. Sharief, who was 85, died at a hospital in Bengaluru, Karnataka on Sunday.
President Ram Nath Kovind's official twitter handle offered condolences to the family. "Sorry to hear of the passing of veteran political figure Shri CK Jaffer Sharief, who served the nation in many capacities including as Railway Minister. My condolences to his family members and associates in Karnataka and elsewhere."
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi also paid tribute to the veteran Congress leader and mentioned in his tweet, "It is a day of tragedy for the Congress party, with another senior, loved and 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."
The former President and Congress stalwart Pranab Mukherjee said, "Extremely shocked and pained at the passing away of Shri CK Jaffer Sharief. I was to release his Urdu Translation of Maulana Azad's "India Wins Freedom" on November 28, 2018, at Bangalore. The Almighty had something else in the store. May his soul Rest in Peace."
West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee also tweeted, "Saddened at the passing away of very senior politician and former Union Minister C K Jaffer Sharief. He had a special affection for me. Met him in my first term as MP. My condolences to his family and his many admirers."
Union Finance Minister and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley mentioned in his tweet, "Condolences on the sad demise of Shri C. K. Jaffer Sharief Ji, a veteran leader & an exceptional parliamentarian. May God give strength to the bereaved family and supporters. May the departed soul rest in peace."
Karnataka CM office said, "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".
May his soul rest in Peace."
Sharief served as the Union Railway Minister, from 1991 to 1995, during former PM PV Narasimha Rao's regime. He was eight-time Congress Lok Sabha member from Bengaluru North and Bengaluru Rural. In 2014, he was denied a party ticket by the party.