'Stay away from Reddy', Amith Shah’s advise to Karnataka BJP

Amidst growing criticism about Janardhan Reddy campaigning openly the BJP leadership is understood to have instructed its state unit not to allow him to campaign openly for the Karnataka Assembly elections.

Amit Shah who was to reach Ballari and hold a roadshow, however, cancelled the same and reports suggest that this was done to express his displeasure that Reddy had been allowed to campaign in the open. Further, the leadership also frowned upon the fact that B S Yeddyurappa shared the dais with Reddy apart from praising him. According to sources, Shah told Yeddyurappa that the party must refrain being seen in the open with Reddy.

It may be recalled that Shah had disowned Reddy recently and said that the party had nothing to do with him. Reddy who has been barred from entering Ballari is, however, campaigning in Molakmuru for his friend, Sriramulu who will be contesting that seat. With these developments, there is also a question mark over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed rally in Ballari and Chitradurga. There is no final decision taken, but the party is re-thinking on whether those rallies should be held. On May 1, Modi will address rallies at Santemaranahalli in Mysuru district, Udupi and Chikkodi.