Karnataka elections: Janardhana Reddy can't campaign in Ballari, says Supreme Court

Janardhana Reddy, a former minister was jailed in an illegal mining case. He came out on bail after being behind bars for about three-and-a-half years in 2016.

Gali Janardhana Reddy. (PIC/FACEBOOK ACCOUNT)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday rejected mining baron G Janardhana Reddy's plea to campaign in Ballari for his brother Somasekar Reddy who is fielded by BJP for upcoming Karnataka elections.  The apex court also dismissed his petition of letting him vote. Somashekhara’s elder brother and former Ballari Lok Sabha member G Karunakara Reddy is also a BJP candidate in Harappanahalli in Davanagere district. Janardhana Reddy, a former minister was jailed in an illegal mining case. He came out on bail after being behind bars for about three-and-a-half years in 2016. Siddaramaiah has been constantly attacking the Reddy brothers and yesterday reminded PM Narendra Modi to mention about the "loot of Rs 35,000 crore worth iron ore""allegedly by BJP's Janardhana Reddy. He also asked Modi how he was asking for vote for "a" candidate who is the brother of the mining mafia kingpin G" Janardhana Reddy who brought shame to Bellary & the state."

Reddy brothers looted Rs 35,000 cr from Karnataka. We jailed them but Modiji brought them out and want to send them to Vidhan Sabha: Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Bidar #KarnatakaElections2018 https://t.co/JQJlKZeiOk pic.twitter.com/a3w5UIGSo5

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) May 4, 2018

Over him taking part in election campaigning in the state, BJP chif BS Yeddyurappa said, "Janardhan Reddy has not been included in the electioneering list of the BJP. He is campaigning not for the party, but for his friend Sriramulu."  Lok Sabha member Sriramulu has been fielded by BJP against chief minister Siddaramaiah in Badami. Karnataka goes to polls on May 12. Results will be declared on May 15.