Mandya: After she announced her candidature from Mandya Lok Sabha Seat as Independent Candidate, Sumalatha Ambarish arrived at the Mandya DC’s Office this morning and filed her nomination papers. Sumalatha, an actor and wife of Sandalwood star and former MP and MLA late M.H. Ambarish, is up against Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil Kumaraswamy, who is the candidate for the JD(S)-Congress alliance.  

Mandya Deputy Commissioner N. Manjushree, who is the Returning Officer, received  the nomination papers at 11.30 am. Sumalatha started her day today with an early morning visit to Sri Chamundeshwari Temple atop the Chamundi Hill in Mysuru.

Fifty-five-year-old Sumalatha, along with her son Abhishek and Film Producer Rockline Venkatesh, arrived at the Temple at 8.30 am from Tirupati. She had been to Tirupati to offer prayers to Lord Venkateshwara yesterday. At the Chamundi Temple, priests performed puja to her nomination papers and the veteran actress spent about 20 to 25 minutes inside the temple sanctum sanctorum.

‘NOT TENSED’

Speaking to reporters, Sumalatha said that the tradition of performing puja at Chamundeshwari Temple before filing nomination papers was followed by her husband Ambarish. “I am continuing the tradition and I know Ambarish is with me and Goddess Chamundeshwari will bless me with victory. I am not at all tensed,” she said, exuding confidence.

MANDYA ROAD SHOW

Later, Sumalatha drove to Mandya along with her supporters and led a massive road show there. She also addressed her supporters at Silver Jubilee Park and garlanded the statue of Sir M. Visvesvaraya. Actors Yash, Darshan, Rockline Venkatesh and Doddanna accompanied Sumalatha all through rally and public function.

As a jolt to the prospects of coalition partners, party workers of Congress and JD(S) came in support of Sumalatha. A large number of Congress workers, holding the party flag, accompanied her in the rally from DC office to Silver Jubilee Park. People cheered at Yash and Darshan as they waved to the crowd and appealed to vote for Sumalatha.

FANS CHEER SUMALATHA

Ambarish fans, Congress party workers, several leaders from the Dalit, Adivasi and minority communities as well as members of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha had gathered outside the DC’s Office.  The song ‘Mandyada Gandu’, one of the most popular ones from Ambarish’s film, was blaring loudly on the speakers as Sumalatha walked in to file her nomination. Fans began a bike rally from the DC Office and made their way to Silver Jubilee Park.

After filing her nomination, Sumalatha began her road show, with actors Yash and Darshan flanking her on either side. “Dheera! Dheera! (brave one)” and “Sumalatha Jai” were being yelled as Sumalatha’s rally vehicle made its way to the Silver Jubilee Park. Supporters held placards of Sumalatha along with those of Ambarish, actors Yash and Darshan as the show began.

CABLE BLACKOUT

Traffic on Mysuru-Bengaluru National Highway came to a halt in Mandya as a large number of people, supporters of Sumalatha gathered on the street. Interestingly, there was no live telecast of Sumalatha’s rally across Mandya as planned earlier as cable signal supply was disconnected.

Meanwhile, Sumalatha’s opponent and CM Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil will file his nomination papers on Mar. 25, said to be auspicious Panchami day. Kumaraswamy has already decided to stay in Mandya city to ensure the victory of his son. The CM is set to launch the campaign today evening after performing puja at the Adichunchanagiri Mutt, sources said.