Reddy’s homecoming is likely to benefit Sriramulu and BJP in Ballari
The reentry of Gali Janardhana Reddy, the founder of Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha (KRPP) and its only MLA, into BJP seems to have infused a new enthusiasm in the party rank and file in and around Ballari ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
The BJP leadership was initially cold to Mr. Reddy’s open overtures. His alleged voting for Congress in the recently concluded Rajya Sabha election further pointed to the widening gap between the BJP and him, but the mining baron has now been embraced by the party.
Win-win situation
Mr. Reddy’s inner circles believe that his association with BJP will give him relief from a bunch of criminal cases, including serious ones related to illegal mining, filed by central agencies.
From the BJP’s point of view, Mr. Reddy’s return would help it gain the lost ground in and around Ballari. It was with the help of Mr. Reddy that the BJP could make inroads into Ballari, once the Congress’ stronghold.
However, it subsequently lost ground after Mr. Reddy got entangled in a series of illegal mining cases and landed in jail. Mr. Reddy’s absence in Ballari following a court order and the prolonged judicial proceedings paved the way for Congress resurgence here.
When Mr. Reddy was gradually sidelined and eventually forced to quit BJP, his close friend and prominent Valmiki leader B. Sriramulu did not follow him. This had shattered Mr. Reddy’s plans of building his new political outfit on two pillars – his money power and Mr. Sriramulu’s community support. KRPP’s performance in the last Assembly election was dismal, with him being the only victor.
His associates say that combination of Mr. Reddy’s money and Mr. Sriramulu’s community support now with the BJP will create a scenario similar to what existed in 2008 Assembly election in which BJP emerged as a single largest party with 110 seats.
Though much water has flown under the Tungabhadra since, the ReddySriramulu combination is expected to make a difference in Ballari, Kop