Mining baron Janardhana Reddy Can’t Campaign In Ballari :SC
NEW DELHI :The Supreme Court on Friday rejected mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddy’s plea to campaign in Ballari for his brother Somasekar Reddy fielded by BJP for upcoming Karnataka elections.
A Bench led by Justice A.K. Sikri cursorily rejected his request for a 10-day reprieve from the ban to campaign for his brother Somasekhara Reddy, a BJP candidate in Ballari, as well as cast his vote in the election next Saturda.”There is no need for him to campaign in the elections,” said the court, reiterating his bail conditions.
A former minister engulfed by corruption charges, Janardhana Reddy has been campaigning despite BJP president Amit Shah saying he has “nothing to do with the BJP.”The oldest of the Reddy brothers who enjoy tremendous influence in the Ballari region, Janardhana Reddy has been charged with illegal mining.
The apex court also dismissed his petition of letting him vote. Somashekhara’s elder brother and former Ballari Lok Sabha member G Karunakara Reddy is also a BJP candidate in Harappanahalli in Davanager e district.
Janardhana Reddy, a former minister was jailed in an illegal mining case. He came out on bail after being behind bars for about three-and-a-half years in 2016.Siddaramaiah has been constantly attack ing the Reddy brothers and yesterday reminded PM Narendra Modi to mention about the “loot of Rs 35,000 crore worth iron ore””allegedly by BJP’s Janardhana Reddy.
He also asked Modi how he was asking for vote for “a” candidate who is the brother of the mining mafia kingpin G” Janardhana Reddy who brought shame to Bellary & the state.”
Over him taking part in election campaigning in the state, BJP chif B S Yeddyurappa said, “Janardhan Reddy has not been included in the electioneering list of the BJP. He is campaigning not for the party, but for his friend Sriramulu.” Lok Sabha member Sriramulu has been fielded by BJP against chief minister Siddaramaiah in Badam.Karnataka goes to polls on May 12. Results will be declared on May 15.( With Agency Inputs ).
