Mr.Karunakar Reddy, BJP MLA from Harapanahalli had to face the wrath of the people of his constituency led by Comrade E. Ramappa, State Secretary of CPI(ML). Perhaps, this is the first ever Gherao by the people of his own constituency that the MLA had to confront who is otherwise considered to be a strongman of the BJP.
In fact, hundreds of people mobilized under the banner of CPI(ML) and AIALA were protesting corruption in high places with regard to implementation of NREGA in the district on 30 July at Harappanahalli. They were demanding job cards, job for those who already secured cards and above all, disbursement of wages to those who had worked under NREGA. They also protested against price rise as a part of the week-long all-India campaign in July. The officials delayed payment of wages under NREGA for quite long. The agitated people, hearing the news that the MLA was around, decided to gherao him fixing the onus of responsibility on him for delivering justice to the people. As the people led by CPI(ML) started gheraoing the MLA, other anganwadi workers too, who were protesting for their own demands, joined them in huge numbers. The MLA who was taken aback by the surprise demonstrations and gherao had no other option but to concede the demands of the people. The subsequent meeting was addressed by comrades O.Kotresh, SCM, Parasuram of AIALA and E.Ramappa.
