'Sriramulu confusing voters'

Bellary BJP president Guttiganur Virupaksha, on Saturday, accused the BSR Congress of falsely claiming that B Sriramulu would return to the BJP.

“As of now, there are no talks or efforts made by either party to shake hands,” he said. “However, the BSR Congress is trying to create the impression that their party will merge with the BJP. This is a ploy by Sriramulu to create confusion and ensure that the BJP does not get able candidates in Bellary.”

Virupaksha, however, admitted that while there are no efforts to get back Sriramulu at the Bellary level, he is unaware of decisions taken — if any — by State-level leaders to do so. In the event that Sriramulu and his team return to the BJP, it would damage the party rather than helping it, he said.

BSR Congress general secretary Madan Patel, retorted that his party is averse to joining hands with a communal party like the BJP. “If the situation demands it, we will opt to join a secular party and definitely not the BJP,” he said.