Sumalatha also discussed the audio clip alleging that the JD(S) was set to spend exorbitant amounts of money to ensure Nikhil Kumaraswamy’s win in Mandya.
Actor-turned-politician Sumalatha Ambareesh asked whether Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy was threatening her and actors Yash and Darshan, referring to comments made by the CM.
CM Kumaraswamy had earlier said, “Without producers like us, they (actors like Yash) will not be able to survive.” His comment was made in response to Yash allegedly calling the JD(S) a “party of thieves”.
Speaking at a press conference in Mandya on Sunday, Sumalatha said, “Those who stood in support of me in the elections were targeted and harassed.” She also added, “In the media, you have highlighted comments made by the CM about film stars who have taken part in my campaign. Is it meant to be a threat? Is he threatening us? We need to ask him the intention behind the comments.”
Sumalatha contested against HD Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil Kumaraswamy in the Lok Sabha elections from Mandya.
Sumalatha also added that self-respect will win over money in the elections in Mandya. She was referring to the audio clip which claimed that the Deve Gowda family would spend Rs 150 crore to ensure Nikhil’s win from the seat. “Money won’t work in this elections. This is about self-respect in Mandya and the people have voted in numbers. Whenever people decide based on money, they become slaves, and when they reject money, we politicians have to become their slaves and this is what I have appealed,” she added.
Sumalatha’s statements came after a campaign battle against the Congress-JD(S) alliance candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy filled with controversial incidents.
Mandya has been a hotbed of issues this election season. Nikhil, a third-generation politician, is the son of Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda. Sumalatha Ambareesh is the wife of late actor-politician Ambareesh, who was a three-time MLA from the district with the Congress party.
Several Congress workers and leaders from Mandya had decided to align with the popular actor, who is the wife of actor and former Congress MP Ambareesh.
Clashes were also reported between JD(S) and Congress workers in Mandya on the polling day.