Royal family ignores Reddys

Members of Krishnadevaraya's family want to keep the politician brothers out of the 500th anniversary celebration of king's crowning

Royal family ignores Reddys

Members of Krishnadevaraya's family want to keep the politician brothers out of the 500th anniversary celebration of king's crowning

The royal family of erstwhile Vijayanagar Empire doesn't want the Reddy brothers to be a part of the Vijaynagar festival to celebrate 500 years of Krishnadevaraya's coronation.

They fear ministers Janardhan Reddy and Karunakara Reddy may hog all the limelight as they did during the Hampi festival. "The royal family isn't happy with the Reddy brothers," said a source present at the meeting.

Prominent leaders from Hampi met top RSS leaders M Jaidev, Mukund and Narahari at Keshavakrupa last Friday to plan the festival scheduled for the end of the year. The delegation has asked for an independent body of litterateurs, historians, scholars and artists to plan the festival. They do not want it to become a celebration of the achievements of the Bellary brothers.

Janardhan Reddy, who is Bellary district in-charge minister, hogged the limelight during Hampi Utsav in 2008 along with brother and MLA Karunakar Reddy and tourism minister Sriramulu. "It was a Reddy's Utsav instead of Hampi Utsav," added the source.

However, the present king didn't reveal details of the meeting. "We have met senior leader in RSS and BJP on Friday," said Krishnadevaraya, the present king of Anegondi Empire. "We will meet again in May to finalise plans before the process begins. We have put forth our demands and hope the state government will respond positively."

Tough ask

"It's difficult to carry out any event without involving the in-charge minister there," said R Ashok, transport minister. "However, we will meet the expectations of the delegation and ensure the festival does not become a forum for individuals."u00a0

Janardhan Reddy and Karunakar Reddy were not available for comments.