Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (EP/SP)

Mandya, Mar 9: The family of H D Deve Gowda wants to introduce Nikhil Kumaraswamy from JD(S) into active politics from Mandya Lok Sabha constituency. But Sumalatha apparently has become a thorn in the flesh in this plan. The prospects of the electorate of this constituency rallying behind Sumalatha in the coming election due to sympathy wave caused by the demise of her hugely popular husband, Ambareesh, to the detriment of Nikhil Kumaraswamy cannot be ruled out. 

The two parties have not yet been able to strike an electoral understanding over sharing of Lok Sabha seats so far. While JD(S) is staking claim for at least ten seats, state Congress leaders have consented to set aside only six seats to that party. Meanwhile, Mandya constituency, which is currently held by JD(S) and where this party was considered to be the winning horse till recently, has been giving headache to leaders of both the parties.

Sumalatha, who has decided to take a plunge into active politics, has been seeking Congress ticket to contest from Mandya. But Congress has rejected her plea with the excuse that the party has struck an understanding here with its coalition partner. Sumalatha has therefore, expressed her decision to contest from this constituency as an independent candidate if she does not get a ticket. 

Former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo, H D Deve Gowda, and in-charge of Congress party affairs in the state, K C Venugopal, held a meeting to put an end to this imbroglio. They have come out with a solution which they feel will work. They have decided to issue a ticket to Sumalatha to contest from Mysuru constituency if she is agreeable. 

Congress leaders are likely to persuade Sumalatha to move away from Mandya constituency by issuing Congress ticket to her from Mysuru. The Congress high command, as per reliable sources, has also given its consent to this proposal. It is said that Deve Gowda has also agreed to issue ticket to Sumalatha to contest from Mysuru if she does not want to fight as a Congress candidate there. It is said that the coalition partners have come forward for this, considering the concentration of Vokkaliga votes there. 

But the reaction of likely Congress candidate from Mysuru C H Vijay Shankar, is not known. He had become MP twice. It is said that he will definitely win this time if he contests from Mysuru. The new decision by the coalition parties is likely to extend the problem to Mysuru too. 

Revanna courts controversy

PWD minister, H D Revanna's remark about Sumalatha foraying into active politics within a month since her husband passed away, has come in for widespread condemnation and criticism across the state. Opposition BJP has expressed itself strongly against this comment, while Revanna has come in for flak in social websites too. In the meanwhile, Sumalatha has hit back, by saying that efforts to coax her into uttering certain words in reaction by issuing provocative statements will not succeed. 

Revanna, who was in New Delhi to take part in a programme there, speaking to media persons, had pointed out that Sumalatha had entered active politics within a month since her husband passed away. He also said that he wished that Sumalatha would understand the way chief minister, Kumaraswamy, worked when Ambareesh passed away. 

Sumalatha recollected that her husband did not care about the comments made by the others and that she has decided to take a cue from him in this regard. She asserted that provocative statements will not be able to shake her composure. 

BJP general secretary, Ravikumar, former chief minister, Jagadish Shettar, and former minister, Suresh Kumar, have strongly objected to Revanna's statement. They feel that Revanna was wrong in issuing such a statement about a woman, particularly on International Women's Day. Ravikumar also demanded for unconditional apology from Revanna.