Lok Sabha elections 2019: Battle for supremacy in Karnataka's Mandya

MANDYA: The battle for supremacy at Vokkaliga heartland of Mandya looks set to go down the wire with actor Sumalatha Ambareesh striking a chord with the electorate, particularly young and women, who came out in large numbers in an indication of groundswell for the Independent candidate even as the CM HD Kumaraswamy-led JD(S) sought to defend its stronghold.

After 13 years when Kumaraswamy led the battle of supremacy at Chamundeshwari assembly bypoll, which he narrowly lost, Mandya Lok Sabha segment is posing a big challenge to him. Though Kumaraswamy as the CM had tied up with BJP and tried to defeat Congress leader Siddaramaiah, he fell short by 257 votes in 2006 December by-poll.

Given the voting percentage in Mandya - it had crossed 70 per cent by 5 pm which is 18 per cent more than 2018 bypoll - and the sentiment of the people the battle to gain control over Mandya looks set to end in a photo finish. While the two segments of Maddur and Melkote, which are represented by JD(S) ministers DC Thammanna and CS Puttaraju consistently were ahead of the other six segments since 7 am when polling started.

Sumalatha was so confident that pointing at the rainfall in Mandya on Wednesday, she said: “It has rained yesterday washing out all the bad. From today good days for Mandy has started.” Speaking to reporters at Doddarisinakere in Maddur taluk, after casting her ballot, she said: “I believe people of Mandya have voted to protect their pride.” She said she found it difficult to vote owing to placement of the EVMs and took five minutes to ensure that her vote is registered in her name. She said the JD(S) has misused the official machinery though they have tried to control it. “This time Mandya voters cannot be fooled,” she stated.

Nilkil countered it saying critics have always accused him of misusing power. But people will respond to it though their vote, he stated asserting that public response to him is positive. Wait and watch till May 23, he stated. The counting of votes will be taken on May 23.

People in Mandya were clearly divided on their choice like at Sitapur, where Kumaraswamy had planted paddy sapling and harvested it later to symbolically reach out to the farming community. Located downstream of KRS dam in Melukote segment, where villagers at Sitapur said there is there is division among the voters. The village has 1800 voters, majority of them Vokkaligas, who said they have supported Sumalatha too.

It was more of an expression of love for actor and former minister late Ambareesh, who died in November and angst against the JD(S) for their diatribes.

At Kyathanahalli, farmers KS Prakash, brother of former MLA KS Puttannaiah, who died two years back, said the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) has thrown its lot behind the Independent candidate as the JD(S) leaders are behaving arrogantly. He said JD(S) leaders’ jibes against the woman candidate has upset the voters.

It was KRRS activists, mainly in Melkote and Srirangapata segments, who managed the booth-level campaigning for Sumalatha. The KRRS Youth Wing chief Seethapura Prajwal said they took care of booth level management to ensure there is no confusion among the voters.

Such was the fierce fight that Sumalatha supporters and JD(S) activists clashed at Doddarsinakere, the native of Ambareesh. After the multi-lingual actor had cast her ballot and left, Nikhil came here in an open vehicle which the Independent candidate’s questioned. While they opposed it and said they will campaign in front of the booth, the police told them it is violation of the poll code. As tempers ran high, the two warring sides clashed before the cops intervened. Nikhil played it down saying the activists on two sides will greet their leaders.