26 August,2011 08:29 AM IST | | Imran Gowhar
Fearing being sidelined by the government because of his chequered records, former tourism minister G Janardhan Reddy has flown 14 MLAs to Malaysia apparently to mount pressure on the government to accept his demands.
According to sources, the leader wants himself, his brother Karunakar Reddy and Sri Ramulu, from his faction to be inducted to the cabinet. He had to resign recently following his involvement in the illegal mining scam.
Six MLAs were flown to Malaysia from the city on Monday night on Singapore Airlines flights to join the gang members, who were flown in from Mumbai and Delhi earlier.
According to sources, Reddy has managed to garner support from five independent MLAs, who have joined other 'hijacked' legislators in Malaysia. So what prompted Reddy to go against party line and resort to hijack politics? According to sources, Reddy is furious at the decision to induct V Somanna, who was involved in the mining scam, to the Cabinet.
While the high command is adamant on not inducting any tainted leader to the cabinet, power hungry Reddy is desperate to regain a berth. "Aware that he is next in the line to face tral in the mining scam, the leader thinks that he would be able to influence the proceedings if in power," said a source. Reddy had demanded that his faction should be given three berths out of the remaining seven posts.
