BJP Reddy to conduct Yagnam for Congress Dr YSR ?

By Shivakumar G Malagi / Jan 4-2009

Tourism and infrastructure minister and mining baron Janardhan Reddy's balance sheet in this fiscal year end is likely to have Rs 1 core expenditure exclusively on Yagnams!Sources close to Bellary Reddy brothers confirmed that BJP minister Janardhan Reddy is holding 18-days Sahasra Chandi Yagnam praying for the victory of Andhra Pradesh CM Dr Y S Rajashekhara Reddy in Assembly elections at the tentatively estimated cost of Rs 70 lakh in March.Before this major ritual, Reddy's wife, Lakshmi is also learnt to perform a Kathyani Vrtham at Bellary on February 9 at a cost of Rs 40 for the success her husband in Brahmini Steels project in Andhra and political growth in Karnataka.Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad edition's report on Saturday that Karnataka's BJP minister and mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy gets 108 priests from East and West Godavari districts in AP to conduct 18-days Yagnam for the victory of the Andhra CM Dr Y S Rajashekhar Reddy shook the BJPs rank and file here.When this Correspondent has tried to contact Mr Janardhan Reddy, he was told that minister is touring coastal districts.Speaking to DC, MLA and elder brother of Janardhan Reddy, Somashekhar Reddy has initially pleaded his ignorance on the report saying "Let me confirm the matter first with my brother and later I come to you".However, he is quick to say, ""Dr Y S Rajashekhar Reddy is a Christian. I think, he does not believe in yagnams. However, absolutely there is no chance in, we Reddy Brothers conducting a major yagnam for Andhra CMs victory in the Assembly elections. There are lot many people for him to do so," remarks, Somashekhar Reddy.While, Bellary BJP spokesperson and key player in Reddy Brothers' think tank, Sanjay Betageri has disproved the report saying 'it is false news based on rumours and wrong information".However, the close circle of Reddy Brothers maintained that there is no surprise in Janardhan Reddy holding a yagnam for YSR. "Since the AP CMs son Jagmohan Reddy is holding stakes in Janardhan Reddy's Obulapuram Mining Corporation and also in Rs 25,000 crore steel plant, Brahmini Steels coming up on 17,000 acres in Kadapa. Bellary Reddy's political survival in Karnataka is no doubt depended on YSRs victory in Andhra assembly elections".Even, the Andhra CM who campaigned for the Congress in Bellary for the May assembly elections had only sought votes for Congress and never went on to criticize BJP Reddy Brothers in public meetings.