BJP state leadership may ‘pacify’ Janardhan Reddy
BENGALURU: The BJP state leadership is said to have initiated moves to pacify former minister and mining baron from Bellary, G Janardhan Reddy. Reddy, who was keen to play an active role in the Assembly election for the party was peeved after BJP national president Amit Shah stated that the party has nothing to do with him.
Shah's statement had not gone down well with Reddy's loyalists in the party, including BJP MP B Sriramulu. Bellary leaders had played a crucial role in party's victory in 2008 elections and Sriramulu is seen as a strong ST (Nayaka community) leader in the party.
On Wednesday, state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa said the party high command will discuss the issue with Sriramulu and take a decision. He, however, maintained that there was no question of giving party tickets to any tainted leaders. During his recent visit to the state, Shah had stated that the party had nothing to do with Reddy.
Reddy, who still retains influence among the voters in many pockets of Ballari, Chitradurga and other parts of the state, is said to be upset by Shah's statement. BJP candidates in Ballari district would be keen to get his support as any trouble at this stage can do a lot of damage to the party in the region.
Sources in the party said Reddy will work for BJP during the elections and strive for the victory of the party candidates. More importantly, he wants to tighten his grip over the Ballari and neighbouring districts where he and his friend Ballari MP Sriramulu have a hold over the electorate. Sriramulu had earlier stated that his close friend will be supporting BJP candidates in the general elections. He, however, had refused to comment about the party president's statement.Reddy was arrested in illegal mining case is out on bail. He is barred from entering Ballari.
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Lok Sabha polls phase 1: Estimated voter turnout at 3 pm 49.78 pc, says EC
New Delhi (PTI): The estimated voter turnout at 3 pm in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Friday was around 49.78 per cent, the Election Commission said.
A spokesperson of the poll panel said the figures were only approximate.
In a statement earlier in the day, the poll watchdog had described the voter turnout till 1 pm as "substantial". Polling was progressing "smoothly and peacefully" across 21 states and union territories, it had said.
Visuals of voters standing in long queues waiting for their chance to vote were seen across polling stations as voting began at 7 am, the poll panel said.
People were undeterred by rains in certain parts such as Jammu and Kashmir's Uddhampur and waited in queues for their turn to vote.
Polling for assembly elections is also being held simultaneously in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
Update at 1300 hrs : Polls are by and large peaceful across States/UTs
— Spokesperson ECI (@SpokespersonECI) April 19, 2024
- Voters show great enthusiasm, as polling reaches halfway mark
- Substantial voter turnout reported in States/UTs as at 1300 hrs
Photos/video courtesy : CEOs/PIBshttps://t.co/LOz8TZT72p pic.twitter.com/e9xqhdsdPQ
