Daijiworld Media Network - Ballari (MS)

Ballari, Jan 6: It seems the doors of BJP are closed for B Janardhana Reddy, former minister, at least for the forthcoming assembly elections. His future in politics depends on the decision that will be taken by the central BJP leaders.

Reddy, who is on bail in the illegal mining case is repeatedly uttering in private and social functions that it is his aim to make the BJP win in Karnataka and that B S Yeddyurappa is his leader. However, state BJP leaders are silent on these statements. Prominence is given only to B Sriramulu, former minister and a friend of Reddy. The state leaders have hardly spoken about Reddy in the recent past.

BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa has in fact stated that Janardhana Reddy is not involved in the activities of the party. "We do not have any proposal of bringing him to the party. This issue is left to the national leaders," he has said.

Far from his home ground

Though the Supreme Court has granted bail to Janardhana Reddy, he cannot visit Ballari, Anantapur and Kadapa as the court has placed restrictions on him entering these places over the danger of destruction of evidences. So he has to live in Bengaluru only. He has visited Ballaro only on very few occasions like for the marriage of his daughter Brahmini, his silver jubilee wedding anniversay, certain important festivals and the marriage of some of his relatives.

He has toured the three districts only on special permission of the Supreme Court. So it is difficult for him to get into the politics of Ballari.

Not invited for the official function of BJP

Reddy was not invited for the official function of BJP that took place on Friday, January 5. This has caused surprise in political circles. It is clear from the statement given by Yeddyurappa, that the return of Reddy to state BJP politics is not in the hands of state BJP leaders. So the active politics of Reddy is in doubt as Yeddyurappa has shown fingers towards the national leaders.

The hurdle of inquiry and investigations

The cases filed by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against the former minister are in the inquiry stage in the court. Even the cases filed by Special Investigation Team (SIT) are in the investigation stage. The top leaders of BJP are worried that the opposition may make these allegations against Reddy as their main weapon during the election campaign. So they are reluctant to invite Reddy.

Ticket to Somashekara Reddy?

Yeddyurappa has indirectly assured ticket to G Somashekara Reddy in the Ballari city constituency. This has brought some solace to the Reddy family. The act of pacifying the brothers indirectly is also done through this act of BJP. Though BJP won due to support of Reddy during the 2008 elections, the subsequent behaviour of the former minister in certain situations embarrassed the party greatly. It seems BJP does not want to take such risk this time around.