Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Friday expressed regret at the BJP having given too much powers to the Reddy brothers (Janardhana Reddy and Karunakar Reddy) and their associate Sreeramulu for too long. But, the party on Friday claimed it has sent out a strong message by issuing showcause notices to four legislators who are loyal to them for their alleged anti-party activities.
“We regret giving too much powers to the three from Bellary. There have been some mistakes on our part. But, we will not allow such things to recur,” Gowda said.
“Sreeramulu got a lot of leeway for three years which should not have been allowed,” he added. Sreeramulu, who is now contesting as an independent in the Bellary rural assembly segment bypoll, has “misused” powers given by the party and the state government, Gowda said.
“We regret giving them such powers. Such mistakes happened due to political and other reasons,” Gowda said without elaborating. Gowda vented his spleen at Sreeramulu for threatening to wipe out the BJP from Bellary district.
The Chief Minister’s remarks came after the party issued showcause notices to three MLAs — G Somashekara Reddy, B Nagendra, H T Suresh Babu — and MLC Mruthyunjaya Jinaga who have thrown their weight behind Sreeramulu. The legislators have reportedly been asked to reply to the notices within three days.
He said the party should not have given him so much leeway while in government.
