Ballari: The BJP seems 
to have landed in trouble 
by announcing the name of its Bellary Lok Sabha member B Sriramulu as candidate 
for the Molakalmuru (ST reserved) seat in Chitradurga district.

Members of the Myasabeda tribe, to which the 
sitting Molakalmuru legislator S Thippeswamy belongs, have upped the ante against the party over its decision to field Sriramulu, who belongs to the Oorubeda tribe.

Hundreds of people belonging to the community took out a march in the city, in protest against the decision.

The community members are of the opinion that the Myasabeda tribe has had less opportunities and so, Thippeswamy should be given the ticket.

The Myasabeda tribe is concentrated in Ballari, Kudligi, Sandur taluks of Ballari district besides Chitradurga, Challakere, Molakalmuru taluks of Chitradurga district and Jagalur taluk of Davangere district.

Molakalmuru has the highest population of the community among these, said Shivakumar Malagi, a community leader. 

The Myasabeda tribe members have threatened to ensure Sriramulu’s defeat if he contests from Molakalmuru. The protestors’ attempt to march to Sriramulu’s house was foiled by the police.