Mandya: There is a backlash in social media over the move of Independent candidate Sumalatha Ambarish and JD(S)-Congress coalition candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy for staying in private hotels in Mysuru, instead of staying in Mandya, as promised. Both the candidates are staying in different hotels and netizens have not taken this lightly.

The day she announced her entry into politics, Sumalatha had assured that she would make Mandya her home. She even rented the house which is said to be a lucky house of her husband late actor Ambarish in Chamundeshwarinagar and even a house-warming ceremony was performed. Sumalatha held her first press conference at the house and after that there was no activity in the house.

Reports of her not staying in the house went viral. In case of Nikhil too, he had promised to stay in Mandya and his supporters had booked a duplex house at Marigowda Layout in Mandya. The house, which is said to be owned by one M.J. Chikkanna, a former JD(S) member of Mandya CMC, is a four-bedroom house facing northwards.

However, both Nikhil and Sumalatha have preferred to stay out of the Constituency and they are lodged in private hotels. Sumalatha’s rented house is limited to storing publicity material and feeding supporters. This has enraged netizens and are criticising the move of the candidates who have chosen luxuries instead of being stay put at the Constituency.  

People have raised doubts about the promises made by Sumalatha and Nikhil about staying in Mandya and questioned, “If they are hesitating to stay in Mandya before elections, will they stay there after winning the polls?”