A case has been registered against JD(S) MLA Narayana Gowda for intimidating Kannada actors Yash and Darshan for supporting independent candidate Sumalatha Ambareesh at a roadshow in Mandya on Wednesday.
The case was registered in KR Pete Circle police station in Mandya on Thursday night after a complaint was filed by Election Commissioner Ravikumar claiming that Narayana Gowda had violated the Model Code of Conduct. The case was registered under section 1860 (u/s -171f) of the IPC i.e undue influence or personation at an election.
Narayana Gowda is the MLA from KR Pete constituency in Mandya. He had threatened sandalwood actors supporting Sumalatha Ambareesh in a meeting of JD(S) workers on Wednesday. “It’s because of the people who buy movie tickets that the cinema industry is flourishing. Those in the film industry must respect the people. If they continue to go against us (referring to JD(S)), we will begin an investigation into how they earned so much money. We are running the government, so stay at home respectfully,” he said. A video of his statements has been shared widely and has been aired on news channels.
His statement also came at a time several film actors decided to offer their support to Sumalatha Ambareesh ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Sumalatha was flanked by popular actors Yash and Darshan during Wednesday's roadshow, which was attended by thousands of people. The duo have announced they will actively campaign for Sumalatha while actors Sudeep and Puneet Rajukumar have also expressed solidarity with her. Several actors campaigning for her were also close to her husband Ambareesh, who passed away in November 2018. Congress workers and leaders in Mandya also expressed their support for Sumalatha.
Sumalatha is contesting as an independent candidate opposite JD(S)’ Nikhil Kumaraswamy, who is the son of Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda. The BJP has not named a candidate from Mandya in the first list of candidates announced by the party. The party's state unit has recommended not fielding a candidate from the constituency.