Fighting B Sriramulu with its back to the wall, the ruling BJP sprang a surprise on Sunday as Tapal Ganesh joined the saffron outfit.
Fighting B Sriramulu with its back to the wall, the ruling BJP sprang a surprise on Sunday as Tapal Ganesh, a sworn enemy of the Reddy brothers, joined the saffron outfit in the presence of party state president KS Eshwarappa.
Tapal Ganesh, who has a running battle with the Reddy brothers of Bellary in mining, has played a key role in ensuring that the long arm of law reaches illegal mining barons in the district, especially former minister Janardhana Reddy. Ganesh reportedly helped CBI build a case against Reddy.
On the occasion, Ganesh who owns Tumti Mines, close to Reddy’s Obulapuram Mining Company, said he joined BJP only because chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda and former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa assured that interests of those engaged in mining legally would be protected.
“Eshwarappa assured me that justice will be meted out to me with regard to the loss that I have suffered because of illegal mining”, Ganesh added. He wants that the state government withdraw all false cases filed against those who opposed Reddys.
Ganesh had filed a complaint in 2006, accusing Reddy of encroaching on his mine. He later moved the Supreme Court, which suspended Reddy’s mining operations and helped the CBI build a case against Reddy. Reddy is now lodged in jail in Hyderabad after he was arrested by the CBI.
Fever-pitch campaigning
Meanwhile, campaigning for by-poll in Bellary Rural constituency reached feverish pitch on Sunday, the penultimate day of campaigning before it comes to an end on November 28. Polling will be held on November 30.
Two staunch supporters of Independent candidate Sriramulu were arrested as they allegedly tried to obstruct leader of the opposition in legislative assembly, Siddaramaiah, from campaigning for Congress candidate Ramprasad. Siddaramaiah had heated arguments with the two, including former mayor of Bellary, Yellappa. He later lodged a protest with local administration. The two were taken into custody.
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