Ballari: In a unique display of determination, Janardhana Reddy, the embattled mining tycoon and Gangavati MLA, orchestrated a virtual Varamahalakshmi Puja —an event traditionally associated with invoking the Goddess of prosperity.
Restricted from entering Ballari due to ongoing mining scandal investigations, Reddy aimed to establish his presence through this virtual spectacle.
While his party, the Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha (KJPP), organised a mass marriage function as part of the festival, Reddy’s noticeable absence underlined the uncertain state of his political career.
Taking the lead was Reddy’s wife, Aruna Lakshmi, who previously ventured into politics by contesting Assembly elections from the Ballari City constituency. The Supreme Court’s ban on Janardhana Reddy’s entry into Ballari further complicates his political resurgence.
Amid the virtual gathering, Janardhana Reddy addressed his estranged brothers, Somashekara Reddy and B. Sriramulu. He attributed his wife’s electoral loss to their actions, without naming them directly.
Reddy’s discourse expressed his frustration at being sidelined from Ballari, a city crucial to his political journey. Alleging conspiracies and betrayals, he criticised those he once supported, citing their recent electoral defeats as a form of retribution.
He also accused the Ballari MLA Bharath Reddy, of harassing party workers and warned of potential protests if such antagonism continued, both within and outside the Assembly.
Sriramulu and Somashekara Reddy, previously aligned with the BJP, faced defeats in the Assembly elections, indicating shifts in the state’s political landscape.
The virtual Varamahalakshmi Puja event signifies a strategic shift for Janardhana Reddy, who paused mass marriage ceremonies after his 2011 arrest in an illegal mining case. Reviving this tradition, led by his wife, symbolises his attempt to revive his political ambitions despite challenges. The event united 36 couples in matrimony, highlighting its significance.
The convergence of the Varamahalakshmi festival with the Reddy family’s history is significant. Their association with this event dates back to the mid-1990s, marked by grandeur and Former Minister Sushma Swaraj’s attendance. Swaraj’s connection with the Reddy brothers continued through her annual presence at the puja, solidified by her engagement with them during her contest against Sonia Gandhi in the Ballari Lok Sabha Constituency.
The BJP’s initial victory in the Ballari Lok Sabha seat in 2004 propelled the Reddy brothers’ political prominence, characterised by successes and controversies. However, Swaraj’s participation ended in 2010 due to allegations of impropriety surrounding the Reddy brothers.
Despite limitations, Janardhana Reddy’s virtual Varamahalakshmi Puja signifies his determined effort to rejuvenate his political standing. This virtual event underscores his resilience in adversity, prompting speculation about his potential resurgence in Karnataka’s intricate political landscape.