Ballari: Are the Reddy brothers and B Sreeramulu losing their grip over the BJP’s Ballari unit? In a first of its kind decision, the state government withdrew the appointment of Dammur Shekar as the Chairman of the Ballari Urban Development Authority (BUDA) following the fear of rebellion within the party’s district unit.

On Monday, October 28, the state government had appointed Shekar as the President of BUDA as per the recommendation of Health Minister B Sreeramulu and the Reddy brothers. Upset by this, 48 office-bearers of the BJP district unit (led by its President P Channabasanagowda) tendered their resignation.

Fearing more rebellion, the state government has now cancelled the appointment.

“It is a shocking development. All these days, Reddy brothers and Sreeramulu were calling the shots but things seem to have changed,” said a BJP leader.

Meanwhile, Ballari MLA Somashekar Reddy expressed his confidence that the issue will be resolved soon.