Former health minister B. Sriramulu, considered a close associate of the powerful Reddy brothers of Bellary, on Sunday delivered a body blow to the ruling BJP in the state by announcing his resignation from the state Assembly.
Though he declared that he would remain in the BJP, speculation is rife that he and the Reddys may float a regional outfit on the lines of Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSR Congress in Andhra Pradesh, or join the JD(S) if the BJP refuses to give in to his demand for a Cabinet berth.
His resignation has put the state BJP in a quandary as any action against the Bellary rural legislator, could spark off a fresh crisis for the party’s first government in south India with MLAs close to the Reddys, likely to close ranks and split away from the party. The BJP central leadership has summoned Mr Sriramulu to New Delhi for talks but it remains to be seen if they will give in to the demand for a Cabinet berth after he was indicted by the Lokayukta in his report on illegal mining, and considering the nationwide outrage against corruption.
Soon after announcing his resignation, the Bellary strongman drove in a cavalcade to Madkeri, hometown of Assembly Speaker K.G. Bopaiah, to submit his papers but had to wait till the night as Mr Bopaiah was away in his native place, Kallur, to attend a private function. Mr Sriramulu finally got a chance to submit his resignation at 9.30 pm and was told by the Speaker that he would take a decision in a day or two.
His resignation created ripples in Bellary and neighbouring districts where the Valmiki community leader has strong support, with his followers coming out on the streets, blocking traffic and burning tyres. Bellary mayor Parvathi Indushekar and deputy mayor Shashikala announced that all 35 corporators of the party in the civic body, would resign en mass on Monday in support of Mr Sriramulu.
The Congress and JD(S) were quick to react to the development with Opposition leader in the Assembly Siddaramaiah remarking that the state government looked extremely vulnerable and may fall at any time. He did not rule out the possibility of Mr Sriramulu trying to mislead the public in an attempt to sidestep the illegal mining issue after he was indicted by the Lokayukta.
State JD(S) president H.D. Kumaraswamy took potshots at the BJP saying that ever since it had assumed power, the lack of mutual trust among its MLAs, ministers and the chief minister, had resulted in frequent political turmoil. “If BJP wants to restore its dignity, they must immediately dissolve the Assembly and seek a fresh mandate,” he said.
The Reddy-Sreeramulu camp is expected to wait till September 9 — the last date for filing nominations for the Koppal Assembly bypoll — for a response from the leadership to their demand for a Cabinet berth. If things do not go their way, the Reddys are likely to come out in the open against the BJP and make Mr Sreeramulu file his nomination as an independent candidate from Koppal to prove their clout, said highly placed sources.