'Reddy will contest poll'

Former minister G Janardhana Reddy, who is in jail in the illegal mining case, will contest in the forthcoming Assembly elections, his brother and MLA Somashekara Reddy said here on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters, after taking part in Kanaka Jayanthi celebrations, he said: “Janardhana Reddy, who is now lodged in Chanchalguda prisons in Hyderabad, has filed an affidavit in the special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court seeking permission to contest  the elections.

“Recently, I visited him in the jail to discuss the issue. However, the constituency from which he will contest has not been finalised yet,” he added.

BSR-Congress

On the Badavara Shramikara Raithara (BSR) Congress party’s preparation for the elections, Reddy said the party leaders were on a State-wide tour to select candidates for the upcoming polls.

The candidatures of Diwakar, a Bellary Mahanagara Palike member, from Molkalmur constituency in Chitradurga and Anil Menasinakai from Gadag constituency have been finalised. The selection process will be complete in a few days, he added.