Shantha contradicts Sree, says no party
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Bellary Lok Sabha member Joladarashi Shantha has contradicted her brother B. Sreeramulu’s statement that he will launch a new outfit — Badavaru Shramikaru Raithara Congress—after completing his 921 km padayatra from Basavakalyan to Bengaluru.
Mr Sreeramulu has been speaking about the new party during his yatra and has been seeking ‘people’s support’ for strengthening the BSR Congress. In a chat with Deccan Chronicle, Ms Shantha denied that the Yatra was intended to launch the new party.
“This yatra is meant to study the plight of people who have been severely affected by the drought. We also want to draw the Centre’s attention to the need to amend Article 371 of the Constitution and confer special status on backward Hyderabad Karnataka”, Ms Shantha said.
On what they planned to do after the yatra, Ms Shantha said they would draw the attention of the state government and the Centre to the problems faced by the drought-hit. The Bellary MP did not think her participation in the yatra would amount to anti-party activity. “I’m still in the BJP. This exercise is being undertaken to study the plight of Badvaru, Shramikaru and Raitharu (poor, workers and farmers) and secure relief for them. If the government had properly responded to the problem, the yatra would not have become necessary. Whatever position I have achieved today, I owe it to my brother. It is my duty to lend him strength when he is passing through a difficult phase due to the conspiracy hatched by some BJP leaders”, she said.
Ms Shantha did not think the BJP would crack the whip on her for supporting Mr Sreeramulu who had left the party last year. “What action did the BJP take against B.S. Yeddyurappa and his followers for insulting L.K. Advani by not attending his rally last year? Nor does the question of my resignation from the Lok Sabha arise”, Ms Shantha said.
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