Now, Sreeramulu likely to float his own party

BANGALORE: The onemonth- old D V Sadananda Gowda government in Karnataka is likely to plunge into a political turmoil after a former minister and powerful Bellary Reddys’ brother-inarm, B Sreeramulu, considering to launch a new regional outfit.Reddys are said to be fully backing their friend and eventually may join his new outfit.The former health minister, further set the rumour mills in motion by stating that he would announce his next political move in about three days in Bangalore.It is, however, not clear whether this is a serious attempt by the Reddys to severe ties with the BJP or only a blackmailing tactics for a hard bargain seeking Cabinet representation at least for Sreeramulu.CM D V Sadananda Gowda, however, refused to respond to the speculations, and said, “Only Sreeramulu could answer what he wants to do.” According to sources close to the Reddy camp, Sreeramulu, who belongs to the sizable Valmiki community, is said to be planning to bank on his popularity by floating a regional outfit with considerable presence in at least six to eight districts, including Bellary, Koppal, Raichur, Bidar, Gadag, Chamarajnagar and Mysore.Simmering with discontent after being kept out of the Cabinet following serious indictment in Lakoyukta’s final report on illegal mining, the powerful Bellary three — G Janardhan Reddy, G Karunakara Reddy and Sreeramulu — were pushed to the wall after their political “Mother and Godess” Sushma publicly disowned them and skipped the annual Bellary visit to attend the Varamahalakshmi pooja and mass marriage conducted by them.The trio is said to have decided to float an outfit to inflict damage to the BJP by contesting polls and emerging as king makers like the JD(S) by its limited presence in a geographical region in north Karnataka and in the Telugu-speaking belt across the Andhra Pradesh border.For this, they also pin their hopes on their across-the-border friend Jagan Mohan Reddy, who has rebelled against the ruling Congress by floating the YSR Congress.According to sources, here too, the Reddys are said to be considering to float the party after Sreeramulu, who has emerged as a popular Valmiki community leader.However, they are not in a hurry to launch the party and waiting for the response from the BJP leadership on their move.