Fresh trouble for BJP in Karnataka, ex-minister Sreeramulu rebels

BELLARY: Ruling BJP in Karnataka seemed to be on the verge of facing fresh trouble as former minister B Sreeramulu, sulking over denial of ministerial berth, is contemplating to resign his assembly membership.
Sreeramulu, himself a mining baron and one of the close aides of Bellary mining magnets-- Reddy brothers-- convened a meeting of his supporters and MLAs and MPs of the district to discuss and decide on future political course.
Sources close to Sreeramulu, elected from Bellary Rural Assembly constituency, claim that the former minister might announce his resignation on Sunday at a press conference scheduled in Bangalore.
At the meeting attended by BJP MLAs Nagendra,G Somashekara, one of the brothers of Reddys, Neminath,Chandra Naik, besides, former minister G Janardhana Reddy, MLC, Sanna Fakeerappa, MP from Raichur, Bellary MP, J Shanta and several supporters of Sreeramulu at his residence.
Rumours also milled that Sreeramulu was contemplating to float a regional party, but sources close to him refuse to confirm it.
On Friday, Sreeramulu had dropped a hint that he would spell out his future political moves in a couple of days.
Apart from Sreeramulu, Janardhana Reddy and his brother G Karunakara Reddy were upset after the BJP high command did not favour their inclusion in the ministry led by chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda, in the wake of a Lokayukta report indicting them in illegal mining.
The powerful Reddy brothers, who weilded control over Bellary district administration, have been facing crisis after loosing power.
Meanwhile Gowda, who is completing one-month in office on Sunday, declined to react to Sreeramulu's statement.