Ballari violence: Janardhana Reddy lashes out at DKS, asks Siddaramaiah to stay on as CM

Clashes in Ballari outside the residence of BJP MLA G. Janardhana Reddy created a new twist in the Assembly on Thursday; Mr. Reddy launched a tirade against Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for his stance on the events and stated that he should not be the Prime Minister.

Mr. Janardhana Reddy, while joining a motion of thanks on the Governor’s speech in the Assembly, said: “Though the local Congress MLA made an effort to attack me, the Deputy Chief Minister stood by him. He ridiculed my position by saying that I could provide security from Iran or organize a group of volunteers from the BJP to protect me. His party will decide whether he is fit for office or not.”

Continuing his attack on Mr. Shivakumar, who aspires to become the Prime Minister, Mr. Reddy said, “God forbid he should become the Prime Minister.”

‘Continue as CM’

Turning to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who was present during the debate, Mr. Reddy said, “You may have committed a padayatra against me earlier and I might have ended up in jail. I feel no pain from it. But it was my fate. But with folded hands, I beg you to continue as Chief Minister for the remaining term.”

He hailed Mr. Siddaramaiah, saying that he had earlier directed the authorities concerned to act on facts. He appealed to the Prime Minister to initiate an investigation into the Ballari violence by the CBI or a sitting Karnataka High Court judge to bring out the truth.

He also appealed to the government to arrest the private gunmen allegedly involved in the shooting incident in Ballari that claimed the life of a Congress worker.