BJP issues show cause notices to Reddy brothers' loyalists

In a stern message to the powerful Reddy brothers, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party  in Karnataka on Friday slapped show cause notices on three members of Legislative Assembly and a member of Legislative Council loyal to them for alleged anti-party activities in backing rebel candidate B Sreeramulu for the bypoll to Bellary rural assembly segment.

Showcause notices have been served on G Somashekara Reddy, brother of jailed former minister and mining baron G Janardhana Reddy, B Nagendra, H T Suresh Babu (all MLAs) and MLC Mruthyunjaya Jinaga who have thrown their weight behind Sreeramulu, a close associate of the Reddy brothers.

The legislators have been asked to reply to the notices within three days, failing which they would be expelled from the party's primary membership, State BJP President K S Eshwarappa told reporters.

BJP leadership would also soon initiate action against two MPs, J Shantha, sister of Sreeramulu and Sanna Fakirappa, he said. The four legislators and two MPs have been actively campaigning for Sreeramulu for the November 30 bypoll.

Sreeramulu is contesting as an independent after resigning as a BJP MLA for being denied a ministerial berth in the wake of the Lokayukta report on illegal mining which has indicted him, the Reddy brothers and mining barons--Janardhan and Karunakara, as also former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.

Sreeramulu yesterday claimed he would wipe out the saffron party from Bellary district,the stronghold of Reddy brothers. Chief Minister rpt Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said in Bengaluru that "several people have so far made such claims.