Ballari: Steel City Ballari is witnessing heightened political tension as a long-simmering rivalry between two influential Reddy leaders—former minister and mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy and Ballari City MLA Nara Bharat Reddy—has resurfaced sharply over the Valmiki Jayanti celebrations. With the situation turning volatile, authorities have imposed Section 144 across the city, particularly around the Central SP Circle, which has emerged as the flashpoint of the confrontation.
The clash is being viewed as a symbolic battle between survival and succession. While Janardhan Reddy is attempting to reassert his lost influence in Ballari, Bharat Reddy is positioning himself as a future power centre. The rivalry, described by observers as a “Nara versus Gali” conflict, dates back over two decades and has once again pushed the city into a tense political atmosphere. Reports of stone-pelting and firing incidents have further escalated concerns, prompting heavy police deployment.
Historically, Ballari politics was dominated by the Congress, with JD(S) playing a secondary role and the BJP remaining marginal until 1999. The political landscape shifted dramatically when Sonia Gandhi contested from Ballari, challenged by BJP leader Sushma Swaraj. During this period, JD(S) leader Nara Suryanarayana Reddy emerged as a key political figure. His son, Bharat Reddy, is now the sitting MLA from Ballari City. The Gali brothers rose to prominence around the same time after aligning closely with the BJP and gaining the backing of Sushma Swaraj, marking the beginning of the prolonged rivalry between the two camps.
The rise of Gali Janardhan Reddy accelerated after 2004, coinciding with Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy becoming Chief Minister. The launch of large-scale mining operations at Obulapuram transformed Gali into one of the most powerful figures in the region. From local bodies to Assembly and Parliament seats, the BJP dominated Ballari under his influence, sidelining both Congress and JD(S). The installation of a Valmiki statue near the SP Circle during this phase, with the involvement of then minister B. Sriramulu, became a lasting political symbol of Gali’s dominance.
The turning point came with Janardhan Reddy’s arrest in the mining case, which led to the collapse of the BJP’s hold in Ballari. As the Gali camp weakened, the Nara family regained political ground. Bharat Reddy emerged as a youth leader within the Congress, consolidating support, including that of several former followers of Sriramulu. Janardhan Reddy’s influence diminished to the extent that he now requires Supreme Court permission to enter Ballari, a restriction that has significantly curtailed his political presence in the city.
Despite winning the Gangavathi Assembly seat, Janardhan Reddy continues to focus on Ballari, viewing it as central to his political revival. The Valmiki Jayanti celebrations presented an opportunity for both camps to assert dominance. Bharat Reddy, treating the event as a matter of prestige, commissioned a Valmiki statue at an estimated cost of ₹2 crore, sculpted by Arun Yogiraj, who also carved the Ayodhya Ram Lalla idol. The areas surrounding the SP Circle, Havambhavi and Devi Nagar—strongholds of the Valmiki community—are now largely aligned with Bharat, dealing a significant setback to both Janardhan Reddy and Sriramulu.
Janardhan Reddy’s sudden arrival in Ballari from Gangavathi ahead of Valmiki Jayanti intensified speculation and tension. Bharat Reddy, meanwhile, issued an open challenge from within Gali’s perceived stronghold, declaring before the media that he would end Gali’s political chapter. Political analysts note that public sentiment in Ballari has shifted, with declining trust in Janardhan Reddy and waning support for Sriramulu even within his own community. There is also widespread speculation that Nara Suryanarayana Reddy is strategically guiding Bharat from behind the scenes.
As events continue to unfold, Ballari remains on high alert, with authorities closely monitoring the situation. What began as a cultural commemoration has now evolved into a high-stakes political showdown, leaving the city simmering with uncertainty and tension.