Total Confusion for Voters! It’s All About Sumalatha A, Sumalatha P, Sumalatha & M Sumalatha in Mandya
Mangaluru: Voters in Mandya have to be very careful while casting for their favorite “Sumalatha” in the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections- as in a strange twist to the Mandya battle, there have surfaced three more candidates with the name “Sumalatha” and all have filed their nominations as independent candidates from the district, to fight against “Sumalatha Ambareesh”, who is also contesting as an Independent candidate. .
The poll campaign of Janata Dal (Secular) in Mandya, from where Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil is contesting, hit a setback on Tuesday when the most popular farmers’ union in the state decided to support Sumalatha Ambareesh, the independent candidate contesting against Nikhil. The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), the most networked farmers’ unions in the state which is also the most active in Mandya, has announced its support for Sumalatha, the widow of actor and former minister Ambarish. The Sangha, which has fought Assembly elections in the district earlier, boasts of a vote-base of over 1.5 lakh people in the Mandya district alone.
Sumalatha Ambareesh
Sumalatha Ambareesh is contesting as “A Sumalatha” in Mandya constituency. But now, three more women by the name of Sumalatha have filed nominations as independent candidates on March 26. Tuesday was the last day to file nominations for the second phase of polling which includes the Mandya Lok Sabha seat. The other three Sumalatha’s who have filed nominations from Mandya are P Sumalatha Siddegowda from Kanakapura, Sumalatha from Krishnarajpet and Sumalatha Manjegowda from Srirangapatna Taluk, against Sumalatha Ambareesh, who is contesting as an independent, but is supported by the BJP.
In Photo L-R: Sumalatha Siddegowda, Sumalatha S, and Sumalatha Manjegowda
The development is being seen as a strategy by other parties to confuse the voters. This is bound to singe the JDS-Congress’ coalition candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy, as the Kumaraswamy government has all along fought on the basis of its farmer-friendly policies and schemes all through. As Sumalatha A cannot contest using any party symbol, three Sumalatha’s on the ballot paper might confuse the voters, say reports. Even for using a particular symbol, Sumalatha Ambareesh along with other three Sumalatha’s will have to wait for the decision of the Election Commission.
Since Sumalatha Ambareesh was seen supported by actors such as Yash of KGF fame, Darshan, producer Rockline Venkatesh and others, reports claim that JD(S) candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy’s candidature is in trouble. Reports also claim that this might be JD(S)’s master plan to divide votes by confusing people with as many women bearing the name Sumalatha on the ballot paper.
Inputs from TV18 News
