Former PM H.D. Deve Gowda, CM HDK, his wife Anitha, son Nikhil, Sumalatha, Actors Darshan and Yash campaign
Mandya: With just six days left for Lok Sabha polls, campaigning has touched a feverish pitch in Mandya with political leaders, candidates and film stars intensifying their campaigns, criss-crossing different areas.
Mandya has garnered the attention of the national media due to the contest of multilingual film actor Sumalatha Ambarish and Nikhil Kumaraswamy, son of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.
Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, his son H.D. Kumaraswamy, his wife and Ramnagaram MLA Anitha Kumaraswamy hit villages of Mandya this morning seeking votes for Nikhil while actors Darshan and Yash continued their road shows seeking votes for Sumalatha.
Nikhil injures hand
Nikhil Kumaraswamy, who is said to have injured his hand and who had taken a day’s break from canvassing yesterday, resumed his campaign from Nagamangala this morning.
He conducted the campaign accompanied by MLA Suresh Gowda and MLC Appaji Gowda along with supporters on an open jeep.
His campaign schedule included public meetings at Kadabahalli, Addihalli,Chittanahalli, Ganganahalli, Jodihalanahalli, Cheenya, Honakere, Bogadhi, Gangawadi, T. Channapura and Hettagonahalli and other villages.
Sources told Star of Mysore that Nikhil sustained injuries to his right hand while campaigning at Maddur taluk on Thursday night. He took some rest in Bengaluru after getting treated.
Nikhil had canvassed for the whole day on Thursday. He was constantly waving his hands with the supporters and suffered an injury. However, he continued his campaign, covering the hand with a plaster. As the pain increased, he took a break.
In Nikhil’s absence, his mother Anitha Kumaraswamy campaigned for him yesterday as well as continued this morning, accompanied by Srirangapatna MLA Ravindra Srikantaiah, Mandya District JD(S) unit President D.Ramesh, various Zilla Panchayat, Taluk Panchayat members and party workers at villages of K. Shettihalli Hobli in Srirangapatna taluk.
Former PM HDD, CM HDK in Maddur
While Chief Minister H.D Kumaraswamy accompanied his father, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, Transport Minister D.C. Thammanna and former MLA Kalpana Siddaraju also conducted road shows at various villages of Maddur segment beginning from K. Honnalagere village seeking votes in favour of Nikhil. They canvassed at Somanahalli, Bharathinagar and other villages.
Speaking to reporters, Kumaraswamy said that he never insulted the Armed Forces and has not given any statements insulting the Army. The CM’s reply comes in the wake of his reported statement on Indian Army drawing criticism even from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He asked the PM not to play with the lives of poor children who join Indian Army in large numbers.
The CM also promised to keep his words to complete the Rs. 8,500 crore projects which would be implemented in Mandya within six months including the construction of new sugar factory. He said that he could not release sugarcane dues due to the enforcement of model code of conduct.
On the life threat to Independent candidate Sumalatha Ambarish, the CM said that he is ready to recommend Z+ security to her if there is a threat to her life. He also ridiculed that Sumalatha could seek security from US President Donald Trump prevailing upon PM Modi.
Rahul Gandhi to visit K.R.Nagar
Meanwhile, All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Rahul Gandhi is expected to conduct campaign at K.R.Nagar to seek votes for Nikhil Kumaraswamy this evening.
JD(S) Supremo H.D. Deve Gowda, Congress Legislature Party Leader Siddharamaiah, and Chief Minister Kumaraswamy will also join Rahul.
Sumalatha’s campaign
Independent candidate Sumalatha Ambarish continued her campaign in more than 39 villages in Malavalli segment including Channapille Koppalu, Kannahalli and other villages.
After a short break, Sandalwood actor Yash resumed his road shows from Koppa hobli in Nagamangala segment along with his supporters. Another actor Darshan too continued his campaign from Ragimuddanahalli in Srirangapatna taluk.
They appealed voters to exercise their franchise to Sumalatha’s symbol ‘farmer blowing a trumpet’ with serial number 20 in Electronic Voting Machine to uphold the dignity and self respect of the people of Mandya. The actors received rousing welcome by their fans in various villages.
This post was published on April 13, 2019 7:54 pm