BENGALURU: Having succeeded in getting the tallest
Hanuman statue constructed and even getting it transported with great difficulty to
Kacharakanahalli for its installation, amidst controversy,
MN Reddy has succeeded to get the BJP ticket from
Sarvagnanagar to contest against sitting MLA and Bengaluru development minister
KJ George.
This was one hurdle Hanuman found insurmountable, though only for 15 hours. An extra-long vehicle carrying the 62-foot-long, 750-tonne half-done statue of Hanuman from Kolar to Kacharakanahalli in East Bengaluru, was stranded when police allegedly stopped it on NH-48 on Monday night, citing it as a potential violation of the model election code of conduct.
The 300-wheel vehicle carrying the monolith was forced to wait near Hoskote, 35km from the city, till the
Election Commission intervened and gave it the go-ahead around Tuesday noon, according to trustee Muniraju of the Sri Rama Chaithanya Vardhini Trust, which is behind the project.
Reddy is said to be the man behind the Trust which got the 62-feet-long statue built and transported. Reddy is said to be a key in dividing the votes in the constituency against George and give a stiff fight to the incumbent MLA and minister.
Sarvagnanagar has the highest number of minority community votes and is considered to be the safest seat for George.
However, Reddy's candidature is expected to divide the votes on communal lines, thereby creating a polarising effect and consolidation of the Hindu votes.
The Hanuman statue installation is claimed to be one of the key elements in the intent of the BJP.
The 62-foot-long half-done statue of Hanuman was stranded while being brought from Kolar to Kacharakanahalli in East Bengaluru.