Now, Bellary to witness Sriramulu-BJP face-off

BELLARY: Former minister B Sriramulu is now bracing to face the BJP in the Bellary by-election vacated by himself in the face of “insult to his conscience” on being indicted in the Lokayukta report on illegal mining.Sriramulu’s resignation from the State Assembly membership, however, was an outcome of his anger over not being inducted into the current chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda’s Cabinet.With Sriramulu filing his nomination papers as an Independent candidate on Wednesday, ending days of speculation, the stage is now set for a big fight in Bellary. Sriramulu, who along with the Reddy brothers had dreamt of the saffron party ruling the state for over 50 years, has been out of the party fold for quite some time now. However, the large following that he enjoys in the district is the deciding factor in the byelection.The local Congress leaders, surprisingly, seem to be soft on Sriramulu. The party leaders who can neither betray Sriramulu nor the party are in a dilemma now. Rumours are rife that the JD(S) will not field its candidate against Sriramulu, who is on good terms with the senior party leaders. Though the former health minister started his political innings with the Congress, he was later drawn towards the saffron fold because of the influence of the Reddys.They strengthened their base in the district by helping the needy, organising mass marriages and lavishly spending in public.Now, Sriramulu is facing the party in Bellary, which he nurtured for so long.It is said that though the government can take all efforts to defeat this disgruntled leader, the local factors would win over all odds.With all MLAs, members of Bellary City Corporation, zilla panchayat, taluk panchayat and several gram panchayats in his support, Sriramulu is taking the BJP head on now.Will state BJP president K S Eshwarappa convincing Sriramulu’s supporters to desert him in his hour of need, it remains to be seen on what would subsequently unfold.With former CM B S Yeddyurappa also joining the BJP bandwagon to campaign against Sriramulu, Bellary has become the stage for a big fight.