‘Use Reddy brothers to strengthen BJP in Ballari region, keep them away from other parts’

coastaldigest.com web desk

April 28, 2018

Bengaluru, Apr 28: The Bharatiya Janata Party high command this time did not hesitate to field some of its tainted leaders including mining barons for the upcoming May 12 Karnataka assembly polls.

However, if sources are to be believed, the BJP supremo Amit Shah has reportedly advised the party’s state leaders to use Reddy brothers and their associates who had ruled the roost during BJP rule in Karnataka, only to strengthen the party in Ballari region and keep them away from other parts of the state.

Shah also said to have issued strict instructions that G Janardhan Reddy should not campaign openly for the Assembly elections. However, his influence in Ballari region will be utilized for the benefit of the party.

Shah, who landed in Bengaluru late on Thursday, was to reach Ballari and hold a road show and preside over a party organisational meeting. However, he cancelled his Ballari trip apparently to avoid controversies.

The BJP top brass in New Delhi is also learnt to have taken a serious view of its Karnataka unit president B S Yeddyurappa sharing the dais and praising Reddy.

Congress has been mounting an attack on the BJP over its renewed ties with the controversial leader. Sources said Shah has spoken to Yeddyurappa in this regard. The party’s central leadership is said to have advised the state leaders to desist from being seen in public with Reddy.

Reddy had to spend three years in jail following charges of corruption and illegal mining by the CBI. At a recent press conference in Mysuru, Shah had disowned Reddy stating that the BJP had nothing to do with him. While Reddy is barred from entering Ballari, he has been campaigning in Molakalmuru in Chitradurga district for the BJP candidate and his close aide B Sriramulu.

He even shared the dais with Yeddyurappa and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivaraj Singh Chouhan after Sriramulu filed his nomination papers.

Another reason being cited by Shah for staying away from the mine rich district is that Janardhan Reddy’s brother G Somashekar Reddy had been given a ticket to contest from Ballari City.

In 2012, Somashekar Reddy had been accused by Andhra Pradesh’s Anti-corruption bureau of being involved in the ‘cash for bail’ scam for trying to bribe a judge to get bail for Janardhan Reddy.

Though the party planned to hold Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rallies in Ballari and Chitradurga, it is still thinking whether to go ahead with it due to the latest controversy. The party does not want to put the Prime Minister in an embarrassing situation, a leader in New Delhi is quoted as saying by a newspaper.

Comments

Shah yeddi and reddy brothers all you bang your head to the wall no use in Karnataka. People choice only except bjp criminal.

Jai Hind !

Bhrashta janara party(BJP) it is proved now.

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Udupi youth falls prey to online scam, loses Rs 2.19 lakh while seeking loan for sister’s wedding

News Network

January 10,2026

Udupi: In a shocking case of digital deception, a 32-year-old resident of Nadpalu village lost Rs 2.19 lakh after falling victim to an online loan scam while desperately seeking funds for his sister’s wedding.

According to the complaint filed with Hebri Police, Ramesh (32) received a call around 10 am on January 2 from an unknown number. The caller identified himself as Ravi Kumar S, claiming to represent a non-banking finance company offering quick online loans.

Needing urgent financial support for the marriage expenses, Ramesh enquired about the loan details. The caller allegedly promised a 3% interest rate with a monthly EMI of Rs 6,289 for five years, assuring a smooth approval process. Believing the offer to be genuine, Ramesh agreed to proceed.

Police said the fraudster then demanded multiple payments under different pretexts, claiming they were part of the loan processing formalities. Between January 2 and January 5, Ramesh transferred Rs 2,19,500 across 36 separate online transactions.

Realising he had been cheated, Ramesh approached Hebri Police, who registered a case under Sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act for online impersonation and fraud.

Police have initiated an investigation to trace the accused and have once again urged the public to verify the authenticity of financial service providers before making any payments.

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From Representation to Rivalry: The Sorry State of Muslim Leadership in Karnataka Congress

coastaldigest.com news network

January 19,2026

Bengaluru: As the dust settles on the recent legislative session, the corridors of Vidhana Soudha are buzzing with more than just policy talk. A high-stakes game of political musical chairs has begun, exposing a deepening rift within the Congress party’s Muslim leadership as a major Cabinet reshuffle looms.

With the party hierarchy signaling a "50% refresh" to gear up for the 2028 Assembly elections, the race to fill three projected Muslim ministerial berths has transformed from a strategic discussion into an all-out turf war.

The "Star Son" Spark

The internal friction turned public this week following provocative remarks by Zaid Khan, actor and son of Wakf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan. Zaid’s claim—that his father "helped" secure a ticket for Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad in 2023—has acted as a lightning rod for resentment.

Rizwan’s camp was quick to fire back, dismissing the comment as a desperate attempt by Zameer to manufacture seniority. "Rizwan’s political pedigree was forged in the NSUI and Youth Congress long before Zameer even stepped into the party," a supporter noted, highlighting Rizwan’s tenure as an AICC secretary and his two-term presidency of the State Youth Congress.

A Tale of Two Loyalists

While both Zameer Ahmed Khan and Rizwan Arshad are staunch allies of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and represent Bengaluru strongholds, their political DNA could not be more different:

• Zameer Ahmed Khan: A four-time MLA who crossed over from JD(S) in 2018. Known for his "overzealous" and often polarizing outreach during communal flashpoints—from the DJ Halli riots to the recent Wakf land notice controversy—his style has frequently left the Congress high command in a state of "discomfort."

• Rizwan Arshad: A homegrown organizational man. Seen as a "quiet performer," Arshad represents the sophisticated, moderate face of the party, preferred by those who find Zameer’s brand of politics too volatile.

The Outsiders Looking In

The bickering isn't limited to a duo. The "Beary" community, represented by leaders like N A Haris and Saleem Ahmed, is demanding its pound of flesh. Saleem Ahmed, the Chief Whip in the Legislative Council, has dropped the veil of diplomacy, openly declaring his ministerial aspirations.

"I was the only working president not included in the Cabinet last time," Saleem noted pointedly, signaling that the "loyalty quota" is no longer enough to keep the peace.

As Chief Minister Siddaramaiah prepares to finalize the list, he faces a delicate balancing act: rewarding the aggressive grassroots mobilization of Zameer’s camp without alienating the organizational stalwarts and minority sub-sects who feel increasingly sidelined by the "Chamarajpet-Shivajinagar" binary.

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