Bellary trio launch counter march

The tour will culminate on August 7 a day before the planned rally of Congress in Bellary, with a rally at Toranagal, 20 km from here.

Hundreds of party workers led by Health and Family Welfare B Sriramulu, Tourism and Infrastructure Minister G Janardhana Reddy and Revenue Minister G Karunakar Reddy marched barefoot from Sriramulu’s residence to the Durgamma temple.
BJP workers gathered in large number outside the residence of Sriramulu as rumours of his resignation spread in the morning. Sriramulu declared he would not resign.

‘No footwear’
“I will not wear footwear till July 20 when a rally is planned by the party in Bellary. I wear black dress as mark of protest against the false propaganda of the Congress. I will sleep on the floor and consume only raw grains and water.”

He said the events are being organised only after taking party leadership into confidence.
Later, addressing party workers, Sriramulu said: “We have accepted the challenge thrown by the Congress.”

Denying that that he and the Reddy brothers had indulged in illegal mining, Sriramulu declared that they would not continue in power even for a minute if their opponents are able to show an iota of proof.
Earlier in the day speaking to reporters Janardhan Reddy welcomed the ban imposed on iron ore export by the State Government, which was one of the major demands of the Congress.

On the possible fall-out of the decision, he said the livelihood of over one lakh families depended on mining.
DH News Service

BJP yatra trail
* July 29: Chelagurki and Moka.
* July 30: Tekkalkot.
* July 31: Kampli and Kurugod.
* August 1:Hospet and Kamalapur.
* August 3: Kudligi and Hosalli.
* August 4: Huvinahadagali and Holalu.
* August 6: Kottur, Hagaribommanahalli and Mariyammanahalli.
* August 7: Sandur and Toranagal.
* Public meetings would be held at all the places.