Janardhana Reddy, Mining Tycoon, Set to Reunite with BJP Ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha Polls

Mining baron and the sole MLA of Karnataka’s Rajya Pragathi Paksha (KRPP), G. Janardhana Reddy, announced on Sunday his decision to rejoin the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on March 25. Reddy cited his intention to support Narendra Modi’s bid for a third term as Prime Minister as the reason behind his decision.

“After consulting with my supporters, I have made this decision. Tomorrow at 10 am, I will be rejoining the BJP,” Reddy informed reporters.

He pledged his support to BJP candidate B. Sriramulu for the Ballari Lok Sabha constituency, referring to Sriramulu as someone he had mentored. Sriramulu, a former minister, had faced defeat in the 2023 assembly election from the Ballari assembly segment.

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Reddy, who previously served as a minister in the BJP-led government under B.S. Yediyurappa, had been incarcerated in connection with a mining scam. Following his release, he distanced himself from the BJP and established the KRPP.

During the 2023 assembly election, Reddy played a pivotal role in the defeat of his two brothers, G. Karunakara Reddy and G. Somashekara Reddy, who contested as BJP candidates from Harapanahalli and Ballari City, respectively. Reddy fielded his wife, Aruna Lakshmi, against his brother and BJP candidate Somashekara Reddy in Ballari City, ensuring his defeat. The Congress candidate, Nara Bharath Reddy, emerged victorious from that constituency.

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In the recent Rajya Sabha elections held on February 27, Reddy extended his support to the Congress party.