Fight in Mandya turns ugly with H D Revanna’s crass comments against Sumalatha

BENGALURU: Distasteful and insensitive remarks by JD(S) minister HD Revanna against late actor-politician MH Ambareesh’s wife Sumalatha over her widowhood has shocked all. Sumalatha is seeking the Congress ticket for the Mandya Lok Sabha seat and could contest against Nikhil Kumaraswamy, Revanna’s nephew and son of chief minister HD Kumaraswamy.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi on Friday, Revanna, said: “It's not even a month since her husband died and she is already nursing political ambitions and wanting to contest elections.See what level they have gone to.”
Besides questioning Sumalatha’s decision to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, Revanna also said Sumalatha’s adamant stand — she has insisted she will contest from Mandya and no other seat — forced the party to field Nikhil. “We were planning on fielding one of our workers from Mandya,” Revanna said. “But when she insisted on contesting, we changed the plan and decided to push Nikhil into the fray.”
Even after a gentle and indirect reprimand from Kumaraswamy, who was also in New Delhi, Revanna refused to withdraw his comments.
“I have seen so many such dramas,” he said. “Sumalatha used to act in films and she is now doing the same in politics. Why should I apologise? When Ambareesh died, Kumaraswamy was at the hospital till 4am. Who would have questioned him if he had gone home after making a quick visit to the hospital? Who is running the ‘Go back Kumaraswamy, Go back Nikhil’ campaign in Mandya? I know who are behind this. I will disclose their names at an appropriate time.”
In political circles, Revanna’s comments are being seen as an effort to scuttle Nikhil’s chances of victory. “It is a known fact that Kumaraswamy has been pushing Nikhil to contest elections only to scuttle Prajwal Revanna’s (Revanna’s son) chances of becoming successor of the Gowda family,” they say. “Revanna’s statements are a counter-strategy.”
Reacting to Revanna’s comments, Kumaraswamy who was in Delhi to lay the foundation stone for the renovation of Karnataka Bhavan, said: “I know the bond the JD(S) has with Mandya and also know the pulse of the people,” he said. “I am requesting everyone not to speak low of anybody.”
Sumalatha, who was campaigning in Mandya declined to react to Revanna’s comments. “They cannot crush my self-confidence with such statements,” she said. “It’s better not to react. In the Hindu culture and in a country where a woman is worshipped, both progress. Ambareesh conducted himself in a dignified manner in his life and I am following in his footsteps. They want me to react to their provocative comments, but I will not react.”
This is not the first time Sumalatha has been attacked by the JD(S). Kumaraswamy had recently questioned Ambareesh’s contribution to Mandya which he represented as an MP and MLA. Also, transport minister DC Thammanna, a JD(S) minister, had commented on the purported lack of hospitality in the family, saying: “She did not offer even a glass of water or tea to people when they visited their house when Ambareesh was alive.” He also urged the people of Mandya not to believe film stars.