The political tension in Ballari has escalated further with BJP MLA from Gangavathi, G Janardhana Reddy, filing a police complaint against Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy and 22 others. This move comes just a day after Reddy was named as an accused in an FIR linked to violent clashes during the unveiling of Valmiki Maharishi's statue at SP Circle.
Cross-Complaints and Serious Allegations
On Saturday, Janardhana Reddy and his manager Nagaraj lodged separate complaints at the Bruce Pete police station. In his complaint, the BJP MLA accused close associates of Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy – namely Satish Reddy, C Shekhar, Lokesh, and Gangadhar – of trespassing into his house, attempting to assault him, and hurling caste-based abuses. Nagaraj's complaint lists Bharath Reddy as the third accused. Notably, Bharath Reddy is the fifth accused in the complaint filed by Janardhana Reddy.
These complaints add to the two existing FIRs related to the incident. One FIR names 41 accused, while the second lists 23. Those booked include MLA Nara Bharath Reddy, his father Suryanarayana Reddy, his uncle Pratap Reddy, and several of their associates.
Details of the January 1st Violence
Janardhana Reddy provided a detailed account of the events of January 1st. He alleged that a large, armed crowd gathered outside his residence that evening. He claimed that his private bodyguards opened fire in response to the mob, which reportedly threw stones, chilli powder, bottles, and petrol bombs. Reddy accused the police of failing to disperse the crowd until midnight.
In total, four cases have been registered – three based on complaints and one suo motu case filed by Ballari City DSP Chandrakanth Nanda Reddy. The police have confirmed that 23 people have been detained. A special team is analysing video footage from the incident.
A critical forensic finding has emerged: the 12mm bullet recovered from the body of slain Congress worker Rajashekar Reddy was confirmed to have been fired from a single-barrelled weapon.
Compensation and Political Reactions
Housing and Ballari district in-charge minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan visited the residence of the deceased Congress worker, Rajashekar Reddy, on Saturday. The minister offered condolences to the family and personally handed over a compensation cheque of Rs 25 lakh. He described Rajashekar as the family's eldest son and main support, noting his father runs a hotel.
Zameer stated that he, along with MLAs Nara Bharath Reddy and Ganesh, had extended immediate assistance. "Although we cannot restore the life that was lost, we will seek further support from the party and will construct a new home for the deceased's family under the slum board," he added.
The political blame game intensified with former BJP minister B Sreeramulu demanding action against DSP Nanda Reddy, alleging deliberate negligence. He claimed the violence involved goons from other states and argued that the riot could have been prevented. Sreeramulu also countered Congress leader Shivakumar's "Republic of Ballari" jibe by alleging Congress MLAs were turning the district into a "Republic of Congress."
Janardhana Reddy accused the Congress of politicising the Valmiki statue unveiling, linking it to the Rs 187-crore Valmiki Corporation scam reported last year. Both Reddy and Sreeramulu have demanded the arrest of those responsible, the suspension of the DSP, and a probe by either a high court judge or the CBI.
