Jailed former minister Gali Janardhan Reddy will have the final say in determining if former health minister B. Sreeeramulu should accept the Bharatiya Janata Party ticket offered to him for the Bellary ST seat bypoll or make the plunge as an Independent.
Mr Sreeramulu himself disclosed this on Sunday saying he was planning to meet Janardhan Reddy at Chanchalaguda central jail in Hyderabad on Monday or Tuesday after which he would take a decision. Party sources said BJP observer Raghunathrao Malkapure had offered him the ticket on Sunday but Mr Sreeramulu was in mood to accept it unless the nod came from the Reddys, who are smitten over the BJP’s decision to sideline them for their alleged involvement in illegal mining.
Speaking to reporters after a two-hour discussion with Mr Malkapure, Mr Sreeramulu said “I will meet Janardhan Reddy at Hyderabad and then announce my decision.”
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Andhra sends nominations for padmas
N. VAMSI SRINIVAS
HYDERaBAD, NOV. 6
Kuchipudi dancer-couple Raja and Radha Reddy, Infotech’s B.V.R. Mohan Reddy, producer D. Ramanaidu and badminton player Jwala Gutta are some of the names nominated by the state for different categories of the Padma awards. According to sources, the government has recommended 35 names, including two for Padma Vibhushan and three for Padma Bhushan, to be announced next Republic Day. The surprise nomination, however, has been that of AP Legislative Council chairman A. Chakrapani, for Padma Shri.
in the category of public affairs. Usually, serving politicians are avoided due to their political affiliations.