JOIN USSpeaking to reporters in the City on Thursday, Gopalakrishna demanded that he be inducted into the Cabinet to give representation for Ediga community. He, however, did not elaborate on the future course of action that he intends to take.
“Ediga community has no representation in the Cabinet following the resignation of H Halappa. It is with the support of Ediga community that BJP candidates B Y Raghavendra and R K Siddaramanna managed to win Lok Sabha and Legislative Council polls respectively in the district. Youths from the community also have identified with BJP in large numbers,” he said.
Ediga community is a formidable force in Shimoga, Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikmagalur and Gulbarga districts.
BJP could make inroads in the district which was represented by the leaders like S Bangarappa and Kagodu Thimmappa with the support of Ediga community, he stated.
When asked on lobbying for Cabinet berth through mining tycoons of Bellary, whom he supported during their revolt against Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, he said: “My association with Reddy brothers is a closed chapter and I don’t have any relationship with them now.”
He also regretted joining hands with Reddy brothers.