Tapal Ganesh joins BJPTapal Ganesh joins BJP

The development has come as a surprise, as Ganesh has always opposed illegal mining and had criticised the BJP government for its inaction in curbing the plunder of ore wealth. Ganesh had accompanied B Ramprasad, the Congress candidate for the Bellary Rural byelection, when he filed nomination papers.

The mine owner joined the BJP in the presence of State Party president K S Eshwarappa.  He said he was joining the party following an appeal by Chief Minister D V Sadananda
Gowda and former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.

Ganesh said the BJP had apologised for the “misdeeds” that occurred in the district so far and that the leaders had promised action against illegal mining. Hundreds of members of the Sponge Iron Producers’ Association, besides workers in the sponge iron units are also tilting towards the BJP.  Eshwarappa has assured the association members and the workers that steps would be taken to provide the raw material for the sponge iron units.
Sriramulu had expressed his support for the workers who held a week-long hunger strike recently, seeking raw material. The former minister’s move was widely appreciated at that time. With the ban on iron ore mining and its export, the sponge iron units are facing shortage of raw material.

Tapal’s family unhappy

However, Tapal’s family members are not happy about his entry into politics.
“We fought against the BJP’s high-handedness all these years. It is unfortunate that my brother is now joining the same party. He is being made a scapegoat,” Tapal Chandrashekhar, Ganesh’s elder brother, told Deccan Herald.