Sumalatha to take on HDK’s son Nikhil in Mandya as an independent candidate

coastaldigest.com news network
March 18, 2019

Mandya, Mar 18: Former actress Sumalatha, widow of late Ambareesh today announced that she would contest the elections from the Mandya Lok Sabha constituency as an Independent candidate.

She will be taking on Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil, who is the JD(S) candidate.

Flanked by actors Darshan, Yash and her son Abhishek, Sumalatha told the media in Bengaluru that she was "compelled" to enter politics because of the love showered on her by the people of Mandya.

She said that the entire Kannada film industry was standing by her and supporting her candidature. She will be filing her nomination in Mandya on April 20.

After the demise of her husband, actor-politician, M H Ambareesh, Sumalatha evinced her interest to contest from Mandya.

She said that she was doing so to carry forward Ambareesh's legacy. She also said that though she was asked to contest from constituencies like Bangalore North and Bangalore South (by the Congress and BJP), she had refused to do so.

"I even denied the MLC post that was offered to me. I am entering politics for personal gain. I am doing this for the people of Mandya. I have heeded the people's request. It is Mandya or nothing for me. I am going to fight for Mandya. I am not scared of losing," she added.

Sumalatha, who had sought the Congress ticket, said that she had done so as her husband was with the party.

The Congress, however, owing to its coalition compulsions, denied her the ticket, stating that the JD(S) held the constituency.

Congress leaders including Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar, KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao and Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah had declined to field her.

Despite this, Sumalatha said she was hopeful of a ticket, and had maintained that she would wait for a final announcement from the Congress high command. While she waited, she went campaigning around the Mandya district.

Sumalatha had remained resolute as she was strongly backed by the local Congress leaders, who were upset with the state leaders for ceding Mandya to the JD(S).

During the press conference, she reiterated that the local Congress leaders were facing identity and existential crisis in Mandya and that there was need to revive the party in the district.

Irked by the growing popularity of Sumalatha and the "politics" behind her candidature, the JD(S), got bullish by launching a tirade against both her and Ambareesh.

While Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy took digs at Ambareesh, his brother H D Revanna made disparaging and sexist remarks against Sumalatha. JD(S) Minister D C Thammanna was among those who attacked her.

When it became apparent that the Congress was in no position to field her, Sumalatha last week intensified her parleys with the BJP, which wanted to cash in on the situation.

Last week she even went and met former union minister S M Krishna and sought his support.

A section of BJP leaders were keen on fielding Sumalatha. The party high command, however, decided not to give her the ticket. It is, however, likely to extend her external support.

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Media Release
June 9,2020

Mangaluru: Continuing the relief work they started in the wake of the Corona Lockdown, ‘Team B-Human’ a local social organization is reaching out to the migrant workers who are stuck here in the region, unable to return to the homes.

Team of volunteers of the organization reached out to the migrant workers and distributed essential items including clothes and footwear of men, women, and kids.

Earlier, the organization had reached out to thousands of migrant workers and needy families and had helped them with food kits, Ramadan Kits along with medical assistance to many.

Several migrant workers recently moved back to their respective states, villages with their families, while others, unable to move back for various reasons are stuck here facing several difficulties and plights. The relief work by ‘Team B Human’ has helped several families of migrant workers in these distressing times.

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News Network
February 9,2020

Tumkur, Feb 9: A special puja was performed at the Durga Parameshwari temple and the Shaneshwara temple in Karnataka's Rangana Halli village to save people from coronavirus.

Yashwanth Shastri, a priest, said: "We performed this special puja on Friday to save the world from virus and diseases like corona and H1N1."

"Our ancestors used to perform a special puja for the betterment of society and save the world from viruses when they attacked," he said.

Coronavirus originated in China's Wuhan city in December last year and has since spread to various cities around the world.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the coronavirus outbreak as a global health crisis.

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News Network
April 7,2020

Bengaluru, Apr 7: Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Siddaramaiah on Monday urged Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa to announce a special package to help farmers, agriculture labourers and also working class in various sectors who are affected by the lockdown.

Mr Siddaramaiah put forth his demands during a telephonic conversation and the Chief Minister positively responding to it informed that he will formulate a programme keeping in mind the suggestions made by the Opposition, a statement from the LoP's office said.

It said, the Chief Minister also spoke to Mr Siddaramaiah regarding the government's decision to stop supply of free food for poor and needy through Indira Canteens.

Mr Siddaramaiah on Saturday had written to Yediyurappa urging him to utilise Indira Canteens efficiently and provide food for poor and needy until the coronavirus crisis and lockdown is over.

The former Chief Minister's letter had come a day after the state government had decided not to provide free food at Indira Canteens as concerns were raised about the quality and misuse that was happening.

It had, however, decided to continue to provide subsidised food- breakfast at Rs 5 and lunch and dinner at Rs 10, as usual.

Mr Yediyurappa during the phone conversation on Monday appraised Siddaramaiah that the decision to supply food by fixing a price was taken to stop misuse that was happening.

Mr Siddaramaiah, however, insisted the government should provide food free of cost to the poor and needy, by taking care that misuse doesn't happen.

The senior Congress leader asked the Chief Minister to take action against errant officials who allowed misuse to happen, the statement said, adding that Yediyurappa has promised to look into it.

Initially, the government last month had decided that the state subsidised Indira Canteens would provide food packets free of cost to the poor and needy in the wake of the lockdown.

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