Bellary: A day after getting a rap from RSS leaders who asked ministers and mining magnets Reddy brothers to mend their ways, Karnataka Tourism Minister G Janardhana
Reddy on Thursday said he would ensure a trouble free Congress rally against illegal mining here on August 9.
"I have directed officials to ensure that the rally encounters no trouble", Reddy told reporters in the wake of apprehensions expressed by Congress leaders that Reddy
brothers were expected to create problems during the rally.
He said about 4,000 police personnel would be on duty to maintain law and order during the rally, which Congress is holding as culmination of its ongoing 320-km padayatra
launched against illegal mining, apparently targeting Reddy brothers.
He appealed to BJP activists not to react to 'provocative speeches' of Congress leaders.
Janardhana Reddy and Health Minister B Sreeramulu, also a mining magnet and close associate of the Reddy brothers, had on July nine dared the Congress leaders in the assembly to visit Bellary warning they would be taught a lesson.
Days after this, Congress launched the 'Bellary chalo' padayatra. The counter padayatra undertaken by Sreeramulu and Janardhana Reddy and his brother Karunakara Reddy in Bellary has annoyed state BJP leadership including Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa.
RSS leaders had yesterday summoned Janardhana Reddy to its headquarters "Keshava Shilpa" and warned them against making provocative statements and blamed their behaviour for the present political situation.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, August 05, 2010, 13:12