Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Aug 24: Reportedly, the Reddy Brothers from Bellary, who have become restless at being kept out of the ministry for the first time after BJP rose to power in Karnataka, have resorted to blackmailing tactics as before. The Reddys, it is learnt, want four berths in the state ministry. For forcing this demand on BJP leadership, they are said to have taken 15 MLAs with them to a destination in Malaysia.
The Reddys are not prepared to the stance of the party leadership that they cannot be absorbed in the ministry as their names have been mentioned in the Lokayukta report on illegal mining. Gali Karunakar Reddy, his brother, Janardhan Reddy, and their close confidante, Sriramulu, have been claiming that they are innocent. They also seem to be not amenable to the suggestion of the government to nominate legislators of their choice including their brother, Somashekhar Reddy, to the ministry in their places. State BJP president, K S Eshwarappa, has already said that the question of their inclusion into the cabinet is being examined by top officials from all angles, and that if the officials give green signal for their swearing-in, the same will be done.
The efforts of the Reddy camp to wrest ministerial berths so far have not yielded positive results because of the fact that the BJP high command has remained adamant on its stand that tainted persons should not be taken into the ministry. The Reddys are angry at the fact that the party, which took their help to rise to power in the state, has been keeping them away at this point of time.
There are reports that the Reddy Brothers have also been trying to garner support from more MLAs for their demand. Their behind-the-scene antics have forced postponement of the expansion of the state ministry. D V Sadananda Gowda, frustrated by the pressure being brought by the camp, is said to have met former Chief Ministry, B S Yeddyurappa, and held discussions with him about the ways and means to tackle the situation.
There is opposition from a section of the party for the inclusion of Reddy camp in the state ministry. At the same time, the Reddy Brothers, who have always liked to dictate terms, and who are known not to cow down to anyone, are expected to step up their pressure.