Not having big leaders in party doesn’t worry me: Sree

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Independent MLA from Bellary B. Sreeramulu is set to chart a new course in his political career by launching his own political outfit. On the one hand, Mr Sreeramulu plans to revive the Ahinda movement involving second line Dalits, backward and minority community leaders, from where it was abandoned by Congress leader Siddaramaiah, and emerge as the new face of Ahinda movement. On the other, the Valmiki strongman who has set sights on the backward districts in Mumbai- Karnataka and Hyderabad-Karnataka regions, has often made open attempts to woo the majority Lingayats in northern Karnataka, but without much success.

The close confidant of the once-powerful Reddy brothers, seems to be buying time to launch his new party till the release of his mentor Gali Janardhan Reddy on bail, who is now in jail in connection with illegal mining case. Excerpts:

How do you view the current political situation? By election time next year, what type of polarization do you foresee?

There is a lot of political drama going on in the state among top BJP leaders for political power. People will not excuse both former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda for indulging in “resort politics” and Delhi jaunts to grab the CM’s post at a time when the state is reeling under acute drought. Well, I will not predict any political polarization. I have a single-point agenda in politics that is completely development-oriented.

Yeddyurappa threatened to quit BJP. If he comes out what could happen? Will you team up with him?
No. I don’t want to comment. It’s an internal matter of that party, but I am clear that I will not join hands with Mr Yeddyurappa.

Then, why did you heap praise on Yeddyurappa at a public meeting at Shimoga last week and meet his son B.Y. Raghavendra secretly?
There was nothing special in my speech at the Valmiki Samaj convention to attribute a political colour to. I just acknowledged the contributions of Mr Yeddyurappa to the Valmiki community when he was CM. It’s absolutely false that I met Mr Raghavendra secretly to strike a political pact. There is no place for any secret deals in my brand of politics.

What is your opinion on joining hands with JD(S) which helped you in the by-election?
At present, I don’t have any such plans, but we will see if it is necessary in the future. After you formed a party, you held a hunger protest in Gadag. Now you are planning to take out a padayatra from Basavakalyana to Bengaluru. What do you plan to achieve through this? Both the state and Central governments have ignored the welfare of the common man. My main objective in taking out a padayatra is to awaken the common man who is deprived of development for many decades.
As on date, no big leader, apart from those from Bellary, is with you. Who are in touch with you? Who will join your party and why? I don’t need any big leaders for my party. People are with me. I can challenge that I will build a strong and politically strong cadre-based party with no big names in politics.