Karnataka polls: Sreeramulu on a sprint campaign across the state

On the narrow unpaved roads of Molakalmuru, B Sreeramulu’s convoy kicks up much dust. It is literally a whirlwind campaign. The Ballari Member of Parliament stops at little villages where a few score people have gathered and drives off.

Starting the campaign at Rampur, the convoy winds across parched villages of Chitradurga—Veerapura, Ashoka Siddapura, Heruru and Ramasagara. The convoy does not stop for more than two minutes at each village. “I have been traveling across the state in the past week campaigning for party (BJP) candidates. And today I squeezed in some time to campaign here,” Sreeramulu said.

Sreeramulu—projected as the party’s deputy chief minister— has been asked to campaign in 80 constituencies besides the two he is contesting from, Molkalmuru and Badami.

“The party has thrust a huge responsibility on me,” he said. By projecting Sreeramulu as candidate for deputy chief minister, the BJP is eyeing the Scheduled Tribe votes in Chitradurga, Ballari and other parts of North Karnataka.

The DM Nanjudappa Committee report on regional imbalances terms Molakalmuru as one of the most backward taluks of Karnataka. On the trail, Sreeramulu promised villagers water from the Upper Bhadra project. “I want to develop this district,” said he.

At one point, his convoy was a mere 10 km from Hanagal village, where his friend and mentor G Janardhana Reddy is camping. There was, however, no trace of Reddy in the campaign. BJP workers revealed that Reddy had been directed to stay away.

Unperturbed by the party’s decision to keep Reddy away from the campaign, Sreeramulu said he has no dispute with party president Amit Shah’s stand.

“Reddy is my childhood friend and he is supporting me out of goodwill. If the party president says that Reddy has no association with the BJP, he is absolutely right. But if a person is working as a party worker, can anybody stop?” he asked.