Party's top brass in state issues gag order on Reddys who had held two press conferences in last three days.
Party's top brass in state issues gag order on Reddys who had held two press conferences in last three days.
The state BJP top brass issued a gag order on the Bellary Reddys yesterday and cut the belligerent mining magnates to size.u00a0
The state BJP top brass has instructed the Reddys, who have organised two press conferences in the last three days, not to go public on illegal mining.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We realised that press conferences held by members of our party and by the opposition were leading us nowhere.
The entire affair is turning into a public slanging match," explained Dhananjaya Kumar, BJP spokesman and Delhi representative from the state government.
u00a0
"The party has decided that it will not to allow any individual to address the media. All allegations made by the opposition will be countered solely by the party spokesperson."
Tourism Minister G Janardana Reddy addressed two press conferences on two consecutive days, which prompted JD (S) state president and former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy to launch scathing counter attacks.
"It is frustrating that we are not allowed to speak when opposition leaders are calling us thieves," said an MLC from the Reddy camp.
u00a0
"It is a strange kind of politics where we are forced to counter our own people before taking on the opposition."
While, earlier this week, Janardana Reddy wanted to show video clippings exposing the opposition leaders indulging in illegal mining, he reportedly restrained himself after he learnt that the party wanted him silenced.
The party leadership has also struck down proposed plans of the Reddy camp to hold a rally from Bellary to Mysore to counter the protest march planned by the opposition members who are demanding a CBI probe into illegal mining.
Sriramulu, health minister in the state government and a close confidant of Janardana Reddy, had earlier announced that he would take out a march from Bellary to Mysore, home ground for Siddaramiah, leader of the opposition. Now, smarting under party orders, he is been forced to eat his own words.
"An individual is not allowed take a decision and make an announcement since ours is a national party," said Dhananjaya Kumar. "Whatever we do, it should be a party decision."
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, who is often referred to as the godmother of Reddys, is understood to have received strict instructions from the high command to not interfere in ongoing political crisis in Karanataka.
A source in the BJP said the core committee that met in Delhi, last week, empowered CM Yeddyurappa to drop one of the ministers in the Reddy camp. Sushma Swaraj is said to have reluctantly agreed to the decision.
"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels 
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
