Facing blame for defeat of BJP in Sandur bypoll, Sriramulu plans to meet Modi
22 Jan 2025 9:52 PM IST
Senior BJP leader and former minister B Sriramulu has voiced his sadness over being singled out for the BJP’s defeat in the Sandur by-election by the party's state in-charge, Radha Mohan Singh Agarwal, during a core committee meeting in Bengaluru on Tuesday. (Image: DC)
Ballari: Senior BJP leader and former minister B Sriramulu has revealed plans to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other central leaders to expose what he called a deliberate ploy against him within the party.
This comes in the wake of accusations leveled by BJP state in-charge Radha Mohan Singh Agarwal during a core committee meeting in Bengaluru, where Sriramulu was allegedly blamed for the BJP’s defeat in the Sandur by-election.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Sriramulu expressed his dismay at being unfairly targeted.
“During the meeting, Agarwal ji accused me directly, claiming I was responsible for the loss in Sandur. His words were harsh and baseless. What hurt me more was that this statement seems to have been fed to him by G. Janardhan Reddy and his team,” Sriramulu said.
The former minister alleged that a campaign to tarnish his image has been brewing within the party, orchestrated by individuals who were once his allies.
“I don’t understand why Reddy and his faction are unhappy with me. They have been circulating falsehoods about me on social media. If needed, I can provide evidence of these malicious messages,” he added.
Sriramulu lamented the lack of support from BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra during the meeting.
“I have toiled for the party in Sandur, even though BJP has never won the seat in the past. Despite our loss, we increased our vote share and narrowed the margin of defeat. Vijayendra knows this, yet he remained silent and expressed helplessness when I was unfairly attacked. His silence has deeply hurt me,” he said.
Sriramulu revealed that the accusations and the silence of his colleagues pushed him to offer his resignation during the meeting, leaving party leaders dashing to pacify him. Agarwal later retracted his statement.
“I have served the BJP from Bidar to Chamarajanagar. But this internal conspiracy to vilify me has shaken me. I have no option but to take this matter to the highest levels of the party,” Sriramulu said, adding that he will seek appointments with Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to present his stand.
Political observers see Sriramulu’s move as a reflection of the growing factionalism within Karnataka BJP. His accusations against Janardhan Reddy and his faction indicate a deeper rift, which could potentially affect the party’s cohesion ahead of future electoral challenges.
Sriramulu underscored that his intention to meet the central leadership is not an act of rebellion but a bid to clear his name.
“If I don’t speak up now, I risk being unfairly portrayed as the villain. I will not let this ploy succeed,” he said.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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