Karnataka Chief Minister Mr Sadananda Gouda regretted that the BJP Government had given more power and freedom to the mining mafia don Gali Janardhan reddy brothers and their associate Mr Sriramulu during their tenure as ministers.

Speaking to media persons in Bangalore today, Gouda said that Gali brothers and Sriramulu, all from the Bellary district, had misused the power and liberty given to them by the party leadership and government.

“We know we made some mistakes and we are feeling sorry for the mistakes. I assure the people of Karnataka that such mistakes will not be repeated,” he told journalists.

Admitting the party gave them good position and power for political reasons, Sadananda Gouda said the party had realized its mistakes now. He dismissed as trash the reported statement of Sriramulu that he would ensure the total destruction of BJP in the Bellary district.

Mr Sriramulu is now contesting the Bellary Rural assembly by election as an independent candidate and the BJP MLAs in the district have extended support to him.

The state BJP leadership has served notices on the BJP MLAs G. Somasekhara reddy, B. Nagendra and HT Mrutyunjaya for extending support to Sriramulu in the by election. Gouda said the party will take action against two party MPs also for siding with Sriramulu. (JUBS)