Since their rise in 2008, the Reddys have promised to convert Ballari into one of India’s most progressive cities, but nothing much has changed on the ground so far.
Ballari, Karnataka: It seems mining, or even illegal mining, is no longer an election issue in Karnataka’s Ballari district, the stronghold of the scam-tainted Reddy brothers.
Instead, voters here want basic amenities such as drinking water and affordable housing.
Once part of the prosperous Vijayanagara empire in the 14th century, Ballari was a pioneer in water management techniques. Today, the town looks parched and its people thirsty.
Since their rise in 2008, the mining baron Reddys have promised to convert Ballari into one of the most progressive and developed cities in the country, but nothing much has changed on the ground so far.
Locals said the candidates who have been given tickets by the Congress, BJP and the JD(S) this time, all belong to the mining lobby.
“Money, muscle power and mine owners will play a very big role in Ballari,” said charted accountant-turned-politician Sirigeri Pannaraj.
Voters seek answers from candidates
During a recent election campaign, sitting Congress MLA Anil Lad was cornered by a group of women who asked him why he had come asking for votes as he never bothered to visit them in the past five year.
“We have been getting water just once in 20 days and you come to us now,” said one of the women.
“Lad saab toh missing in action hain, paani kya London se le ayenge?” said Sameer, an engineer with a private firm.
The legislator admits, “It is true that water is a huge problem here.” He says he has tried his best to provide basic facilities such as drinking water, roads and ensuring law and order in Ballari city during his term.
“I have ensured that Ballari is a peaceful place. The number of criminal cases has reduced. The scene was different when the Reddy brothers were here,” he claimed.
Former minister G. Janardhan Reddy’s brother Somashekhar, who has been given ticket by the BJP this time, was arrested in 2012 by the Andhra Pradesh Anti-Corruption Bureau for allegedly trying to bribe a judge.
Now, he campaigns across the constituency with the promise to bring back Ballari’s lost glory.
“There is nothing called a mining lobby,” he said. He claimed that his family worked hard in the mining industry and has done every bit to develop the city during its rule. He, however, admits as well that people are seeking a solution to the water problem.
“I conceptualised a project where I connected pipelines within the city to provide water for the people. The sitting MLA has no clue about this since he keeps jet-setting between Bangalore and Singapore,” Somashekhar told ThePrint.
“When I meet the women, they say that they want water at least thrice a week. All I can promise is that I will do my best to give drinking water at least twice a week,” he added.
Acute shortage of water
The shortage of drinking water is so acute that the city, which needs close to to 0.5 TMC per month, receives only half the amount. The Tungabhadra dam with a capacity to store 133 TMC has just 90 TMC at present. Of this, a portion of water needs to be supplied for agriculture, drinking and industrial purposes in districts such as Koppal and Rayachuru in Karnataka, and Kurnool, Kadapa, Anantapur and Mahboobnagar across the border in Andhra Pradesh, besides Ballari.
“We have seen several drought years. Although we have tried to save some water for drinking as a precautionary measure this time, the mismanagement by the administration and the MLAs is the main cause for this acute shortage,” said Purushottam Gouda of the Tungabhadra Horatha Samithi.
Many Reddy supporters, however, still believe that the family will return to power and bring in the best technology for water management. Veerashekhar Reddy, one of the supporters, said the Reddy brothers will bring back the “golden
period” in the region.
JD(S) has given ticket to mining baron Hothur Mohammed in Ballari. Handpicked by former PM and JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda, Iqbal has launched an aggressive campaign on the development plank.
“Despite availability of funds, Ballari has not seen progress. Look at Hubli-Dharwad, it used to be an educational hub. But today, it has grown beyond recognition,” Iqbal said.
“In contrast, despite being accorded special status under Article 371 (J) and enough funds, many people in Ballari (which is part of Hyderabad-Karnataka region) are still homeless, thirsty and power-less” Iqbal claimed.