BJP finally says Ram-Ram to Sreeramulu?

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The D.V. Sadananda Gowda government finally ran out of patience on Thursday, putting an end to the embarrassing impasse over former minister B. Sreeramulu’s resignation from the assembly, accepted by Speaker K.G. Bopaiah, 40 days after he had submitted it in person.

Later, the Reddy lieutenant hastened to reasssure the BJP state government that there was no threat to the Sadananda Gowda government either from him or his supporters, even as speculation over Mr Sreeramulu's future course of action was rife, particularly over whether he intended to float his own party and stand for elections from Bellary as an independent.

“I have instructed MLAs loyal to me not to to resign as I have done. There is no threat to the Sadananda Gowda government as a result of my decision to quit the assembly”, Mr Sreeramulu said, remaining evasive, however, when asked if he would launch a new regional party if denied a BJP ticket. All he said was, “I am still with the BJP and will clear my name in the people's court”.

The Valmiki community strongman, a close associate of the Reddy brothers was addressing a press conference at former minister Gali Janardhan Reddy's home-office ‘Kuteeram’. He had resigned as MLA on September 4, a day after Mr Janardhan Reddy was arrested by the CBI.

“The acceptance of my resignation has proved that it was not a blackmailing tactic or a publicity stunt”, Mr Sreeramulu declared, adding that he would contest elections again after proving his innocence.

“There was tremendous pressure on me to withdraw my resignation, but I decided not to, as my integrity was under suspicion. In the 25 years that I have been in public life there has never been a blot on my public image”, he claimed.

Asked if he would contest a future election on a BJP ticket, he nodded, saying it was however left to the party president to decide on giving him a ticket or not.