MYSURU: The war of words between the Mysuru and Mandya MPs continued on Tuesday with the former saying that actor Sumalatha Ambareesh has a hegemonic mindset which will not work in politics.
BJP MP Prathap Simha told reporters in Mysuru that he is focused on the development of Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway and her criticism directed at him will not derail him in his mission. He said, in democracy, people from lower strata of the society reach the highest offices. But, Sumalatha is an actor and will not understand it, he said.
“I fail to understand her jibes at me. Maybe she went back down the memory lane and regaled you (media) with her dialogue deliveries because you provoked her. But it will not distract me. You don’t need to take it seriously,” he said.
Sumalatha on Monday told reporters at Bengaluru that Simha has failed to develop Kodagu district roads, which is part of his Mysuru Lok Sabha constituency. This came in response to Simha’s alleged remark that people of Mandya elected Sumalatha to teach HD Deve Gowda and family a lesson, but are now facing problems as she is not attending to their work. Simha’s statement prompted the war of words between the MPs of the neighbouring segments.
Explaining about it, he said while he was on his way to Mysuru, villagers of Yeliur in Mandya district stopped his vehicle demanding an underpass at the site.
“The Bengaluru-Mysuru highway is soon to be upgraded into a 10-lane expressway and it is expected to be completed by 2022. The mega project will improve connectivity to Mysuru and benefit people in Mandya and Ramanagara districts. I hope the project doesn’t face any hurdles. When people put forth their demands, I asked them to submit me a memorandum,” he said.
Sumalatha said people would not have dared to speak about her family if her actor-husband and former MP Ambareesh was alive.