
Sat Nov 01 14:03:20 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article based on it:
Summary:
Ballari-based miner and activist Tapal Ganesh is seeking the disqualification of Gali Janardhan Reddy, a current MLA and former Karnataka minister, for allegedly violating his oath of office by engaging in illegal mining activities during his previous tenure. Ganesh claims Reddy, through the Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC), facilitated the encroachment of forest land and illegal extraction of iron ore from Karnataka, causing a significant financial loss to the state. He cites a court conviction against Reddy in the Obulapuram mining case and a letter from the Director of Mines and Geology for the recovery of ₹884 crore from OMC as evidence. Ganesh argues these actions violate the Representation of the People Act and the Constitution, justifying Reddy’s disqualification.
News Article:
Karnataka MLA Faces Disqualification Call Over Illegal Mining Allegations
Kalaburagi, November 1, 2025: Ballari-based miner and activist Tapal Ganesh has formally requested the Governor of Karnataka and the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly to disqualify Gali Janardhan Reddy, the current MLA for Gangavathi and former State Minister, alleging that Reddy violated his oath of office by engaging in large-scale illegal mining during his time as minister.
In a detailed representation, Ganesh accuses Reddy of facilitating the encroachment of forest land and the illegal extraction of iron ore from Karnataka through the Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC), where he was a director. Ganesh alleges that this led to a loss of ₹884 crore to the state exchequer.
Ganesh cites a recent conviction of Reddy and others in the Obulapuram mining case by a CBI Special Court in Hyderabad as key evidence. He also refers to a letter from the Director of Mines and Geology, Karnataka, regarding the recovery of ₹884 crore from OMC for the illegal extraction.
“I have no personal grudge against Mr. Reddy or his family. But as a citizen and victim of Reddy’s illegal mining, I have every right to question a public representative who took an oath before the Governor to protect Karnataka’s land, forests and water, and then violated that very oath through his actions. The loss is not just financial; it is a violation of public trust,” Ganesh told The Hindu.
Ganesh argues that Reddy’s actions violate Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and Article 191 of the Constitution of India, thus warranting his disqualification. Copies of the representation have been sent to relevant authorities, including the Chief Secretary of Karnataka and the Election Commission of India.