Reddy brothers ready to lead BJP once again

DHNS
January 19, 2018

Bengaluru Jan 19: Just when illegal mining has reared its ugly head once again, a quiet political resurrection is in the works for the Ballari Reddy brothers - G Karunakara Reddy, G Somashekara Reddy and G Janardhana Reddy.

Ahead of the Assembly elections, the brothers are preparing the ground to make a comeback in the political mainstream after keeping a low profile ever since the multi-crore illegal scam rocked Karnataka about seven years ago.

The possible return of the Reddy brothers comes at a time when the ruling Congress, which rode to power by taking on the illegal mining issue, finds itself facing allegations of irregularities in the Mysore Minerals Limited. Also, faced with criticism that it is not seriously pursuing illegal mining cases, the government has decided to hand over four cases of illegal iron ore export to a special investigation team.

Karunakara Reddy, the eldest who has stayed away from the other brothers after the illegal mining scam broke out, is hopeful that the BJP will give him a ticket to contest from the Harapanahalli constituency in Davangere, where he won in 2008 and lost in 2013. He was also a Lok Sabha member representing Bellary. "I will contest from Harapanahalli if I'm given a ticket," he said.

According to Somashekara Reddy, BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa has already promised him a ticket from the Bellary city constituency, where he won in 2008. "We're confident of a victory," he said.

It is the political future of Janardhana Reddy that is stirring up curiosity. A former minister, Janardhana Reddy is out on bail in the Rs 16,085-crore illegal mining case investigated by the CBI. His bail condition states that he cannot visit Ballari in the state, Anantapur and Cuddapah in Andhra Pradesh.

"If the party gives me a chance to contest polls, I will ensure the BJP comes back to power and the Congress is decimated," he announced last week at an event in Anekal, Bengaluru Urban district. If he wins the election, it will be his debut as an MLA as he was previously a member of the Legislative Council.

The BJP had expelled Janardhana Reddy from the party after the mining scam broke out.

His trusted lieutenant, BJP MP B Sriramulu, has also publicly appealed to the party's leadership to bring Janardhana Reddy back. The BJP can win all nine Assembly seats in Ballari district if Janardhana Reddy just joins the party, without even having to campaign, Sriramulu said recently. Ballari was a BJP bastion, which the Congress wrested on the back of its anti-illegal mining campaign.

The BJP, however, has remained mum on Janardhana. "I agree that he will be immensely helpful to the party, if brought back," Somashekara conjectured.

It is also said that the BJP is wary of formally bringing Janardhana back as that could affect its image, given his alleged role in the mining scam.

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News Network
May 12,2024

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Mangaluru: A native of Kerala was arrested on charge of misbehaving with crew on an Air India Express flight while travelling from Dubai to Mangaluru International Airport. The man even threatened to jump from the aircraft, according to officials. 

Siddartha Das, the security coordinator for Air India Express, lodged a complaint against the passenger, identified as Muhammad BC from Kannur, Kerala, after which he was caught by the airport security once the flight landed at Mangaluru. He was later handed over to the police.

DCP (Law and Order) Sidharth Goyal said the incident occurred on Flight IX814 on May 8.

When the flight was above the sea, Muhammad reportedly said he wanted to get off the plane, posing a threat to all on board. The unruly flyer was detained by airport security once the flight landed at Mangaluru International Airport and he was handed over to Bajpe police station officials.

Sources added once the flight took off from Dubai, the accused went to the lavatory and thereafter started inquiring with the cabin crew about a person named Krishna who was not on the flight. Muhammad kept on pressing the bell for in-flight assistance, even though the cabin crew members were near at hand. He then picked up a life jacket, gave it to a crew member, and said he wanted to use it upon landing.

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News Network
May 10,2024

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A day after National Commission for Women said no woman from Hassan approached the national body to file complaints against Karnataka MP Prajwal Revanna, a new FIR accusing BJP leader Devaraje Gowda of abusing and assaulting a woman has come to light.

The FIR against Gowda was filed by a woman at the Holenarasipura town police station on April 1, after her husband had filed a complaint against the BJP leader on March 30. 

The purported victim's husband has alleged in his plaint that Gowda barged into their home, and threatened the couple while the BJP leader also abused the woman.

Gowda, notably, flagged Prajwal Revanna's case to the saffron party.

Reacting to the allegations levelled against him, the BJP politico posted a video on Facebook where he details how he met the woman and her husband in his office. He also claims that the allegations against him are a plot and false.

It must be noted here that a Special Investigation Team is currently probing the sexual assault cases against Prajwal Revanna who along with his driver Karthik is no longer in the country. A Blue Corner notice is also in place to apprehend the son of H D Revanna who himself is placed under judicial custody till May 14.

In a major twist to the entire case— the woman in the FIR alleged that Devaraje Gowda who apprised BJP of the sex videos involving Prajwal Revanna— has been harassing her for the past 10 months under the guise of helping her sell a property.

The woman also said that she came in contact with Gowda during the process involving the property that she wanted to sell. However, on the pretext of guiding her, the woman alleged that the whistleblower BJP leader physically assaulted and harassed her while Gowda also threatened the couple.

The woman has now sought police protection for herself and family. Further levelling allegations against Gowda in her plaint, she said that the politico had taken her to an isolated place where he assaulted her and threatened to kill the couple.

Former chief minister of Karnataka and Prajwal Revanna's uncle H D Kumaraswamy recently demanded a CBI probe in the Prajwal Revanna matter. However, Home Minister G Parameshwara turned down the demand for the investigation to be handed over to CBI.

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News Network
May 12,2024

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Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat High School in Harekala, popularly known as Padma Shri awardee Harekala Hajabba’s school, is gearing up to inaugurate its first batch of Pre-University (PU) courses starting June 1. 

The government issued an order to elevate the school established by Padma Shri awardee Harekala Hajabba to the status of a PU College a few months ago.

The School Education and Literacy Department (PU Education) has formally sanctioned the upgrade for the school.

CD Jayanna, the deputy director of PU Education, confirmed that all necessary approvals have been obtained from the government to initiate PU classes.

“Hajabba’s school will kick off PU classes for its inaugural batch on June 1. We have appointed a senior lecturer as the interim principal for the PU college. Presently, the school possesses the essential temporary infrastructure to begin the I PU batch. Plans are underway to enhance the infrastructure for the PU college in the future. Currently, the school boasts adequate classrooms and facilities to commence PU classes,” stated Jayanna.

Harekala Hajabba, an orange vendor, personally erected the school in his native village, New Padpu in Harekala, situated approximately 35 km from Mangaluru. For several years, he has tirelessly petitioned the government for the establishment of a PU college.

Expressing his gratitude, Hajabba mentioned that 19 students who recently completed their SSLC examinations are poised to enroll in the new PU college. He added, “We anticipate enrollment from neighboring villages as well. Both the interim principal and the PU education department have been diligently orchestrating the necessary arrangements to initiate classes.” 

He extended his appreciation to the government, local representatives, and officials for their unwavering support.

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