BELLARY: M.S. Somalingappa, BJP MLA from Sirguppa in Bellary district, has said he will abide by the party's decision on the Rs. 150-crore bribery charge levelled by Mr. Janardhan Reddy, suspended BJP MLC, against Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Home Minister M.P. Prakash and Minister for Forests C. Chennigappa. "Mr. Reddy has levelled the allegations in his personal capacity. I will abide by any decision that is taken by the party in this regard," he said while speaking to presspersons here on Thursday.

Mr. Somalingappa is closely associated with the Janardhan Reddy camp. He, along with other party leaders N.T. Bommanna and Shivaran Reddy, both former MLAs, criticised the move to shift Sriramulu from Bellary and make him in-charge Minister of Gadag district.

All three were of the opinion that Mr. Prakash could have opted to become Minister in-charge of Gadag district. Stating that the sudden change of Minister in-charge of the district had shaken party workers, they said they would urge the party leadership to revert the decision .

Mr. Bommanna said he and several others had joined the BJP because of Mr. Reddy. "With Mr. Sriramulu being replaced and Kudligi MLA Anil Lad being let off despite joining hands with the Janata Dal (S) in the elections to panchayati raj institutions, we are forced to consider whether to stay with the party," he said.

Mr. Shivaram Reddy said it was not fair on the part of Mr. Prakash to replace Mr. Sriramulu .

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