Janardhana Reddy back to political bureau to contest 2018 assembly election on BJP ticket

Bengaluru: Mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy, who was indicted in state mining scam report submitted by former Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde and was in jail for a couple of years is all set to re-enter the political bureau.

The announcement came from none other than Janardhan Reddy who on Monday stated that he will contest the 2018 state assembly election on a BJP ticket.

In 2008, Reddy was tourism minister in first ever BJP government in the state led by BS Yeddyurappa. He was a BJP MLC in the state legislature council however the party didn't give him ticket after his tenure expired on account of the charges he faced in the mining scam.

It may be recalled that his daughters opulent wedding had started speculations that Reddy was planning to make a comeback into active politics.

 However at that time the BJP central leadership had advised state leaders to stay away from the wedding which was being held on a grand scale just a few days after the demonetization.

The opposition had even attacked the government on why the income tax department is not investigating the source of funding for his daughter's wedding

On Monday, Reddy finally confirmed his grand re-entry plans to state politics at Gadag stating he will contest on a BJP ticket in 2018 state assembly election. ''Difference of opinion with then Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa is resolved now. We are like a family. In a family such small difference of opinion are common," he said.

According to reliable sources, Reddy will contest from Gadag against RDPR minister HK Patil in 2018 assembly election.