Mining czar to disclose new political avatar on Dec 25

Following a ban on his visit to Ballari district, he has shifted base to Gangavathi, one of the most prosperous taluks in Koppal district, thanks to paddy cultivation

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Bengaluru: Former minister and mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy is on a ‘mutt’ and ‘temple’ run ahead of an important political announcement to be made on December 25.

All eyes are set on ‘Parijatha’, the residence of Reddy as he has convened a news conference on December 25 at 10 am to make the announcement which may create ripples in the state political scenario.

On Christmas, Reddy is likely to spell out his future course of action after three cases against him were dismissed in court. Following a ban on his visit to Ballari district, he has shifted his base to Gangavathi, one of the most prosperous taluks in Koppal district thanks to paddy cultivation, from where he is expected to contest in the 2023 Assembly polls.

Though, he has been silent on floating a new political party, political pundits are busy calculating the impact of Reddy’s party on the BJP with which he has been associated for over two decades. Reddy has built a new house and the housewarming function was held last week. He has been holding a series of meetings with local leaders and supporters regarding the next course of action.

None of them are ready to disclose what’s cooking in Reddy’s mind and what he’s upto? As a prelude to his ‘explosive’ press conference on Sunday, the mining czar has started visit to various mutts starting from Monday. First, he visited Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru, followed by Sri Siddaroodha Mutt in Hubballi City.

On December 20, Reddy is scheduled to visit Thontadarya Mutt in Gadag. On December 21, he has convened a meeting with important leaders in Maski, and will return to Gangavathi on the next day to take part in Durgadevi Jathra Mahotsav.

In his Facebook account, Reddy has put up a post, “As I have informed you earlier, I am not able to come to Ballari. In order to involve myself in public life, I have performed the housewarming function of my new house in Gangavathi which is near my native place, Ballari.”

In the meanwhile, on receipt of information about former minister Reddy planning to launch a new regional party, the BJP through Transport Minister B.Sriramulu tried to convince him not to engage in such an exercise as it would affect the BJP’s prospects but the former has declined to change his decision.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has not given any assurance of allotting a ticket to Reddy to contest in the next Assembly polls. So the ‘Ballari Dhani’ is all set to launch a new political outfit.