The Reddys of Bellary have missed the bus again as the one-week old D.V. Sadananda Gowda ministry was expanded today with the induction of five more.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has kept out the mining magnates of Bellary and their close associate, Mr B. Sreeramulu this time also. All were indicted in the Lokayukta report on the illegal mining issue.

In today's expansion, few districts of north Karnataka got its face in the ministry. They are Mr Raju Gowda (Narasimha Nayak) representing Surpur, Mr C.P.Yogeshwar (Channapatna), Mr Anand Asnotikar (Karwar), Mr Balachandra Jarkiholi (Aravibhavi) and independent MLA from Kolar, Varthur Prakash.

This is the second time Mr Gowda's ministry is being expanded and with this 26 have been inducted as ministers. The Karnataka Governor, Mr H.R. Bhardwaj, administered oath of office and secrecy to new ministers.

The Chief Minister, Mr Sadananda Gowda cancelled all his official functions to suddenly announce his cabinet expansion. This shows that there is still lot of pulls and pressure from all quarters to join his ministry.

Reddys disappointed

Reddys and their close associate are a disappointed lot for their mentor, Ms Sushma Swaraj has turned down their request to visit Bellary for Varamahalakshmi festival. She has given the reason that she is busy with Parliament as it is in session.

Ms Swaraj had been consistently visiting them at Bellary from 1999 for the Varamahalakshmi festival when she stood for election against Ms Sonia Gandhi.

Agencies report from Bellary that BJP President, Mr Nitin Gadkari is expected to participate in a pooja at the Reddy brothers' house on August 12. Mr Gadkari's visit will take place at a time when the Reddy brothers – Mr Karunakara and Mr Janardhana – are understood to be trying to get back their ministerial berths after being dropped from the ministry in the wake of their indictment by Karnataka Lokayukta on illegal mining issue. Mr Gadkari will be accompanied by his family, sources said.

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