The issue of Sumalatha, widow of cine actor Ambareesh, contesting from Mandya has been giving sleepless nights to many. While JD(S) sees it as a threat, Congress wants to stay away from it as Mandya is a stronghold of the JD(S)
Bengaluru: Rebel Star Ambareesh and chief minister HD Kumaraswamy were good friends. Their friendship transcended politics and cinemas. But after the death of Ambareesh, HD Kumaraswamy in specific and his party, the JD(S), in general are at loggerheads with the actor-politician's wife Sumalatha, over the Mandya constituency.
Truth to tell, Mandya has been a stronghold of the JD(S) for a long time. Now, as per the seat-sharing formula for the Lok Sabha elections, Congress will not dare to nominate a member from its party. That means, the decks are all cleared for HD Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil Kumaraswamy to contest from this part of the state.
Also read: Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy hints at fielding son Nikhil from Mandya
Now, the JD(S) and HD Kumaraswamy are openly livid and vexed with the candidacy of Sumalatha. They know that if she contests, the votes will split and Nikhil Kumaraswamy’s chances of victory will be hampered. That is precisely the reason why this issue came up at the coordination committee meeting on Monday morning.
In fact, JD(S) workers have circulated a poster on social media, asking Sumalatha as to why she wants to contest the Lok Sabha polls from Mandya. Also, on the contrary, one must note that the Congress are divided over the issue of her candidacy.
Narendra Swamy, a prominent Congressman from the region wants the Congress to field a candidate and quotes the example of Ramya winning the Lok Sabha polls from this constituency.
However, one should also note that Ambareesh had promised his fans in Mandya that, after his death, none from his family would be in politics. This comes in stark contrast to the politics that comes after his death.
By any length of argument, if Sumalatha does go ahead with her plans of contesting the elections from Mandya as an independent, it will indeed be interesting. One should also keep in mind that the entire Sandalwood had backed her candidacy, even assuring her of all the support she needs to sustain herself as a candidate.
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