Daijiworld Media Network

Bellary, Dec 8: Former minister and MLA, and elder brother of G Janardhana Reddy, Karunkar Reddy, offered to make efforts to woo Sriramulu back into the BJP fold, if the party leaders want him to do so.

Reddy, whose absence from the constituency for the last nearly two months, had given rise to surprise, participated in a programme relating to inaugural of various development programmes at Harapanahalli in the district on Wednesday December 7.

About the doubts expressed by several people, Karunakar Reddy asserted that he continues to be with the BJP. “This fact has been repeatedly confirmed by BJP state president, K S Eshwarappa, during the bypoll. I do not want to go on issuing clarifications to various rumours, concocted stories or suspicions that have been floated about me,” he added.

When he was questioned about his neutral stand during the Bellary bypoll where his friend, B Srimulu, who had deserted BJP, had contested as an independent candidate, Reddy said that there is no compulsion that every MLA should canvass for all party candidates. He said he could not participate in election campaign due to personal reasons.

Responding to queries about the support extended by his brother and MLA, Somashekhar Reddy, to Sriramulu, he said it was his brother’s individual decision, and hence, did not wish to pass any comment. About the suspension of MLAs and MPS by the party, he said the party had to suspend them, as they are found to have violated party rules and principles.

“I was made a scapegoat because of the Lokayukta report on illegal mining in the state. It is unfortunate that the retired Supreme Court judge did not  conduct in-depth investigation before preparing this report that is backed by prejudice. I have submitted documents to the Governor and Chief Minister to prove that I was not involved with any irregularities,” he claimed.