Bellary: Voting in Bellary rural by-elections has begun with booths opened at 7 A.M. on November 30, Wednesday. The main struggle is between ruling BJP, and mine baron reddys group represented by independent candidate B. Sriramulu, ousted from BJP and forced to resign some months earlier.

The voting by rural people extends upto 5 PM, without a break today.

Canvassing had ended on Monday night BJP vice-president and dancer/film artiste Hema Malini had come to Bellary to address corner meetings in rural parts.

Karunakar Reddy took a neutral stand, while 4 MLA’s remained on BJP side. 4 other MLA’s including KMP chairman Somashekhar Reddy, and 2 MPs both related to Sriramulu, were suspended by state BJP chief, for anti-party activities.

BJP has done all it can to assist Bellary businessman Gadilingappa to win the by-poll as official BJP nominee.

Over 2500 policemen are guarding the booths (195), of which 100 are sensitive and 15 “very sensitive”.

G.J. Reddy is in Andhra jail since Sept 5 congress has fielded Ram Prasad, who was defeated in 2008 polls by B.  Sriramulu (BJP) then. He is not in the reckoning.