Bellary money bags prove 'Waterloo' for coalition

Bangalore, Oct 7 (UNI) Cash rich and powerful mine owners from Bellary belonging to the BJP proved to be a waterloo for the 20-month-old coalition that collapsed this afternoon following withdrawal of support by the BJP.

The feud dates back to the initial stages of the coalition government. The biggest embarrassment came in the form of sensational Rs 150 crore mining scandal involving Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, exposed by Janardhana Reddy, a BJP MLC and a mine owner from Bellary.

Consequently, the Mr Kumaraswamy was under the scanner and the JD(S) prevailed upon the BJP to initiate action against Mr Reddy, resulting in his suspension.

The recent allegation of attempt to murder levelled against the Chief Minister by B Sriramulu, another leader from Bellary who served as a Cabinet Minister under Mr Kumaraswamy, came in handy for the JD(S) leadership to browbeat the BJP and deny the saffron party its first chance to rule a state in the south India.

Mr Sriramulu submitted his resignation following pressure from the JD(S).

Finally, another BJP leader G Karunakara Reddy's remarks that he would never allow the Chief Minister to enter the Bellary district provided the JD(S) a good opportunity to violate the power-sharing agreement. Karunakara Reddy, brother of Janardhana Reddy, is a BJP MP representing Bellary Lok Sabha segment.

Apparently, it became too difficult for the BJP leadership to contain these leaders as the party's thumping victory in the recent local bodies elections had asserted its support base in the region -- a development which BJP owed largely to the Reddy brothers and Sriramulu.

UNI