'BJP win certain, Sreeramulu's photo won in 2013'

Mining baron G Janardhana Reddy is unfazed by the central BJP leadership's diktat to stay away from the party's campaign. He continues to campaign late into the night for his close associate, BJP's B

Sreeramulu

, in nearby villages, no questions asked.

Between receiving visitors at the farmhouse, Reddy spoke to Naheed Ataulla and Mahendra Kumar about the campaign and the fight in the segment. Excerpts:

Do you see a tough contest between Sreeramulu and Independent candidate S Thippeswamy?
I am confident of BJP's victory in Molakalmuru because Thippeswamy won in 2013 only by carrying around Sreeramulu's photograph on his campaign.

With the BJP central leadership asking you to stay away from campaigning, what's your role in the polls?
I am camping in this farmhouse which is close to Ballari and Molakalmuru, and meeting party workers. I miss going to Ballari.

Will you also campaign for your wife's nephew Lallesh Reddy, contesting from BTM Layout?
I accompanied Lallesh to file his nomination papers, which is more than enough.

CM Siddaramaiah has been targeting you in his attacks on the BJP. Is it because Sreeramulu is contesting against him in Badami?
I wanted to have cordial relations with Siddaramaiah and former PM HD Deve Gowda and had, therefore, invited them to my daughter's wedding. I went to give the invitation card to the CM only after confirming that I was given an appointment. Neither CM nor Gowda came for the wedding. Later, Siddaramaiah, at a public function in Chitradurga, said the wedding was a vulgar display of wealth. There was no need for him to say that as he did not come. Only people who have not seen a formal wedding of their family members can speak in this manner.

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