K'taka: Reddy Brothers On Way Out?

Owners of the Obulapuram Mining Company and ministers in the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Karnataka, Gali Janardhan Reddy and Gali Karunakar Reddy, are believed to have been told to resign from the cabinet by the BJP central leadership.

According to informed sources, the Gali brothers were asked to resign by senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj, during their meeting with her on Sunday, and wait till mounting allegations against them are cleared by the Lok Ayukta.

The brothers are under increasing pressure to resign by the opposition Congress party in Karnataka, which has alleged that they are involved in illegal mining of iron ore by the OMC.

The brothers met Ms. Swaraj and Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa at the Karnataka Bhavan in the national capital, a day after Mr. Yeddyurappa met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Home Minister P Chidambaram, senior BJP leader L K Advani and party president Nitin Gadkari.

According to sources, Mr. Janardhan Reddy sought a meeting with Ms. Swaraj as she is considered close to them among the central BJP leadership.

The Karnataka BJP is caught in a piquant situation, since the Gali brothers' sacking could lead to a severe crisis as they are considered powerful enough to bring down the government. On the other hand, the party's image has to be protected.

According to sources, Ms. Swaraj is believed to have told Mr. Janardhan Reddy that it would be better that he and his brother resign on their own.

She is believed to have advised them to wait until their names are cleared from all allegations, and then re-enter the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, Mr. Janardhan Reddy said that he would address a press conference in the state capital on Monday and respond to allegations levelled against him and his brother.