Shivakumar Attempts to Convince BJP Leader Sriramulu to Switch to Congress: MLA Janardhana Reddy

Bengaluru, Jan 23 (NationPress) BJP MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy stated on Thursday that Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is actively attempting to convince BJP's notable leader B. Sriramulu to switch to the Congress party, aiming to challenge Minister for PWD Satish Jarkiholi.

During a press conference in Bengaluru, Reddy pointed out that Sriramulu's growing dissatisfaction with BJP leaders is becoming apparent.

According to reports, Minister Satish Jarkiholi is regarded as a close associate of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and the Jarkiholi brothers are accused of maintaining a political stronghold in the Belagavi region. Satish Jarkiholi has openly confronted Shivakumar within the party.

Sources indicate that Shivakumar serves as a mentor to Minister for Women and Child Welfare Laxmi Hebbalkar, who is also challenging the influence of Satish Jarkiholi and his siblings in Belagavi.

Reddy further claimed that to mitigate Satish Jarkiholi's influence, Shivakumar is engaging in discussions with Sriramulu. 'If Sriramulu is considering leaving the BJP, he is free to make that choice. His contemplation of departing the party is not unprecedented; he had previously left the BJP to establish his own BSR party. I had advised him against leaving the BJP at that time,' Reddy noted.

'I urged Sriramulu to remain with the BJP, especially considering the possibility of the CBI arresting me. He did not heed my advice back then. If he chooses to listen to others and depart the BJP now, that's his decision,' Reddy added.

He emphasized, however, that Sriramulu should not involve his name in this matter. In the Ballari region, discussions have emerged regarding Sriramulu's potential exit from the BJP.

In response, former Minister Sriramulu addressed the media in Ballari on Thursday, refuting the claims made by his former ally turned adversary Reddy. He affirmed that he has no intentions of leaving the BJP.

'I will not abandon the party. When I considered resigning due to the humiliation I faced at the recent core committee meeting, people began to speculate if I was planning to exit the BJP. I clarified my intention to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, making it clear that I would not betray their trust,' Sriramulu stated.

'Who am I to challenge Minister Satish Jarkiholi? Leaders from the Valmiki community already exist within the Congress party. Despite my electoral defeat, I continue to hold influence within the BJP. The assertion that Deputy Shivakumar is attempting to utilize me to counter Satish Jarkiholi is unfounded,' he clarified.

'When a powerful individual distorts the truth, it may be perceived as reality. In such circumstances, the truth can be overshadowed by falsehoods,' Sriramulu remarked.

'Above all, self-respect is paramount. In light of this, I contemplated resigning from the party. I have been instrumental in building the BJP in the Ballari region for six years while Reddy was incarcerated. I have been elected MLA six times, whereas Reddy has only secured an MLA position once. I also won a Lok Sabha election. When Reddy was released from prison, I welcomed him to Ballari with a gathering of 25,000 people in 2018,' Sriramulu pointed out.

'Reddy is disgruntled because I did not extend a warm welcome to him this time,' he added.

Sriramulu continued, 'He is attempting to portray me as a criminal. I do not have a single criminal case against me. He speaks as though he has an impeccable record. I possess documents against him and will reveal them at the appropriate moment,' he stated, without directly naming Reddy.

The internal power struggle within the Karnataka BJP has come to light, with former Minister B. Sriramulu accusing MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy of trying to undermine his political career on Wednesday.

Sriramulu, a key leader representing the marginalized communities, has expressed his willingness to resign from the party amid these tensions.

Sriramulu had claimed that BJP Karnataka in-charge Radha Mohan Agarwal had humiliated him during a recent state core committee meeting. According to him, Agarwal held him responsible for the party's defeat in the by-election for the Sandur Assembly constituency.

'Agarwal accused me of not supporting BJP candidate Bangaru Hanumantha, resulting in the party's loss,' Sriramulu explained.