B Sreeramulu to launch new party on January 15

BELLARY: Mining magnate and former BJP leader B Sreeramulu, an associate of the Reddy brothers, today said he would launch his new political party ' Badavara Shramikara Raithara' on January 15, which would contest all 224 seats assembly seats and 28 MP seats in the coming elections.

"We will float a new political party on Jan 15 which will fight for the rights of the poor, working class and farmers. BSR will not have truck with any political party and will contest all 224 assembly and 28 MP seats in the coming polls," he told reporters here on the eighth death anniversary ceremony of G Janardhana Reddy's mother here.

Sreeramulu said he would embark on a state-wide tour from Jan 15 and expressed confidence of winning all future polls.

He resigned his Assembly membership in August, apparently miffed at being denied a ministership. He had then stated he resigned as his self-respect suffered a setback after his name figured in the Lokayukta report on illegal mining.

Sreeramulu successfully contested the bypoll to Bellary Rural seat last month.

Karunakara Reddy, Janardhan's Reddy's elder brother, who was also present, later told reporters he would not join any new political party. "I will remain with BJP and I am not with Sreeramulu," he said.

Janardhana Reddy, currently under judicial custody in Chanchalguda Jail in Hyderabad in connection with an illegal mining case, was denied interim bail by a court there to attend his mother's death anniversary ceremony.