Bengaluru: In a significant political development, Gali Janardhana Reddy, the mining baron-turned-politician, announced the merger of his Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha (KRPP) party with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday. The declaration took place in the presence of former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, state President BY Vijayendra, and other prominent leaders in Bengaluru, ahead of the impending Lok Sabha elections.
Welcoming Janardhana Reddy into the BJP fold, Vijayendra presented him with the BJP flag symbolizing the merger.
Addressing the media post-merger, Reddy expressed, “I have decided to merge my KRPP party with the BJP. With the blessings of Yediyurappa and under the leadership of Vijayendra, I am now a part of the BJP.”
He further elaborated, “Union Home Minister Amit Shah extended the invitation for me to join the BJP. Yediyurappa played a pivotal role in establishing a strong BJP presence in Karnataka. During his tenure as Chief Minister, Yediyurappa appointed me as a minister. Presently, his son holds a significant position within the party.”
Reflecting on his decision, Reddy emphasized, “Having had the opportunity to work closely with both father and son, I join the BJP solely as a dedicated party worker, without any personal demands or aspirations for positions.”