[1]In a surprising turn of events, Rajya Sabha MP Anil H. Lad, considered an arch rival of jailed mine baron Gali Janardhan Reddy, has invited Independent MLA B. Sreeramulu to join the Congress instead of launching a regional outfit. Sreeramulu is a close confidant of Janardhan Reddy.
“I will ensure a discussion with the Congress high command if Sreeramulu is interested in joining our party by shelving his padayatra”, Mr Lad said while speaking to reporters here on Sunday.
He felt there was no need for Sreeramulu — a former Karnataka health minister — to go on a padayatra to build base for his party, BSR Congress, when he could merge his party with the Congress. “He is going on a padayatra to search for suitable candidates for the next general elections. Instead of spending money on the yatra, he can utilize it for alleviating the misery of those in drought-hit areas”, Mr Lad suggested.
Mr Sreeramulu declined to react to Mr Lad’s invitation to join the Congress saying he was more concerned about solving the woes of people hit by the drought. Sources said the Valmiki community leader is not keen on waging an aggressive battle against the Congress as he believes that cordial relations with the ruling party at the Centre will help in the early release of Janardhan Reddy, now facing a CBI probe into the illegal mining scam. Sreeramulu had split away from the BJP last year and later won the Bellary Rural seat by a huge margin as an Independent.
He wields considerable influence among the Nayaka and Valmiki communities and is now considered a formidable leader of the backward classes.
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