Anil Lad enters poll fray as JD(S) candidate in Ballari City

A senior Congress leader Anil Lad, who was an aspirant for party ticket to contest Ballari City constituency, entered the poll fray as Janata Dal (Secular) candidate as the Congress has fielded Na. Ra. Bharat Reddy in the segment.

A senior Congress leader Anil Lad, who was an aspirant for party ticket to contest Ballari City constituency, entered the poll fray as Janata Dal (Secular) candidate as the Congress has fielded Na. Ra. Bharat Reddy in the segment.

The Janata Dal(S) had announced Munna Bahi as its candidate for Ballari City. As Mr. Lad came into its fold, it, however, changed its candidate and fielded Mr. Lad in his place.

On Thursday, Mr. Lad took out a rally of his supporters and Janata Dal(S) workers and submitted his nomination papers to Returning Officer N.S. Rudresh at the office of the Ballari City Municipal Corporation.

“The Janata Dal(S) is a promising regional party in the State. People in many States are supporting regional parties and I appeal to the people to support the Janata Dal(S) in the State,” Mr. Lad told media representatives after filing his nomination papers.

When asked about his decision to quit the Congress, Mr. Lad criticised the Congress decision to prefer Na. Ra. Bharat Reddy over him for the constituency.

“I don’t understand why the Congress chose Mr. Bharat Reddy who has made little or no contribution to the party and the constituency. In contrast, there is a book on the development work that I have taken up for Ballari. Yet, the party preferred him over me,” Mr. Lad said.

On caste equations, Mr. Lad criticised the Congress stating that the party stumbled in the constituency by choosing a candidate from the Reddy community.