The police have registered attempt to murder case against Minister of State for Tourism Srirramulu,suspended BJP MLC G Janardhan Reddy and others in connection with Tuesday night’s violence.

Cases of rioting, storing arms illegally and preventing police officials from discharging their duty have also been registered against Sriramulu and some of his supporters.

Giving details of the incident,  IGP (East zone) Satyanarayana Rao told reporters that there was no information regarding gunfire and said that Brucepet Police Inspector M R Reddy had been asked to prove into the issue. The minister’s bodyguard has been replaced.

At a separate press conference on Wednesday, Sriramulu has announced that he will resign, alleging that an attempt was made on his life, after a clash between BJP and JD (S) workers.

Mr Sriramulu vent his ire against Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, holding the CM responsible for the ‘attempt’ on his life.

Stating that he did not want to continue as a minister after falling at the feet of a police officer, Mr Sriramulu announced that he would go to Bangalore on foot to submit his resignation to the Governor on September 30, after the urban local body poll results were announced. Janardhan Reddy, who was also present, accused the chief minister of indulging in politics of vendetta after it became clear that the BJP would win the election.

Earlier, workers belonging to both the coalition partners clashed with each other, followed by senior leaders from both the sides trading charges of attempted murder.

Mr Sriramulu alleged that JD (S) workers had opened fire on him, besides assaulting his party workers. According to sources, around 11.30 pm, the Police rushed to Vidyanagar following receipt of information that sarees and liquor, meant for distribution to voters, had been stored in the house of one of Janardhan Reddy’s relatives.

They were accompanied by two JD (S) workers. When the police were about to search the house, the Minister, the MLC and their supporters arrived and the situation turned tense.

The minister reportedly fell at the feet of DySP Yallappa, pleading with the police to go back. In the melee, the DySP also fell down. The two JD (S) workers, who were severely injured, were admitted to VIMS Hospital. Police resorted to lathi charge to control the crowd.

Meanwhile, JD (S) leader and Parliamentary Secretary to the Chief Minister N Suryanarayana Reddy alleged that it was the minister’s bodyguard who had fired at JD(S) workers before assaulting them. He termed that Bellary had turned into another Bihar with more than 2,000 people arriving from Andhra Pradesh.

TRANSFER BELLARY SP: BJP

The BJP has demanded the immediate transfer of Bellary Superintendent of Police, DHNS reports from Bangalore.
In a complaint submitted to State Election Commissioner M R Hegde, party General Secretary Suresh Kumar said that attempt to fire at Tourism Minister B Sriramulu in Bellary on Tuesday night showed that the police administration had failed to maintain law and order in the district.

He demanded that in order to hold elections for Bellary City Corporation in a fair manner the SP and poll observers should be replaced by efficient officers.

Mr Hegde said he has also received a complaint from Bellary MP Karunakara Reddy demanding transfer of additional Superintendent of Police Rajappa. Mr Hegde said he has sought report on Tuesday’s incident from deputy commissioner of Bellary. He has also written to DG-IGP for a report on the incident.