Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Aug 10: The faction-ridden BJP in the state is in for another litmus test. The Reddy Brothers from Bellary, who have always demanded and got their pound of flesh in the state, have become livid at the elevation of V Somanna again as a minister. Apparently, Somanna is a Yeddyurappa-loyalist.
It is learnt that the Reddy Brothers, who are presently camping in New Delhi, have complained to the party high command that like them, Somanna too is a tainted leader. “If he could be chosen, why not us? We are kept away from the ministry because our name is found in the Lokayukta report. As Somanna too faces certain charges, how was he picked?” they are learnt to have questioned the central leadership of the party.
The party leadership in the state claims that the name of Somanna’s wife alone has been mentioned in the report. K S Eshwarappa has already stated that Somanna’s name has not been linked with irregularities anywhere in the report.
The banner of revolt raised by Reddy Brothers may prove to be a stumbling block for the state BJP, which is already faced with the task of appeasing hordes of disgruntled leaders. During their meeting with BJP national president, Nitin Gadkari, both Janardhan Reddy and Sriramulu expressed the opinion that keeping them out of the cabinet was not the right move. They told the high command that they had helped the formation of the first-ever BJP government in Karnataka, and that they had also chipped in with stellar contributions when the Yeddyurappa-led government was on the brink of falling apart some time back. They said they are frustrated at being neglected at this juncture. Karunakar Reddy has been claiming that his name was wrongly included in the Lokayukta report, as he had resigned from Obulapuram Mining Company several years back. As such, he says he is not tainted.
The party leadership is learnt to have told the Reddy camp that choosing them as ministers is out of question for the present because of the fact that their names have found a place in the Lokayukta report. They have been asked to suggest names of MLAs who are not tainted, for being considered for ministerial berths. The party leadership, it is gathered, is ready to accommodate Somashekhar Reddy, brother of the Reddys, and MLAs loyal to Reddys, if they so wish, in the ministry.
Unless the Reddys are appeased, the Sadananda Gowda-led government in the state cannot breathe easy. The Reddys have always proved to be a thorn in the flesh for Yeddyurappa. They never rest till they have their way, as they repeatedly proved through resort politics. The BJP is not in a position to neglect them, because of their clout and money power. As such, the BJP is compelled to work out a via media to keep them in good humour at least for the present, analysts say.