I’m a target as I have lost the power of Ambareesh, says Sumalatha Ambareesh

Bengaluru: Sumalatha Ambareesh, an independent candidate from Mandya, on Friday accused JD(S) leaders, including Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, of targeting her as she has lost the power of “Ambareesh” in her life.

On the sidelines of a public meeting at K.R. Nagar on Friday, she said the level of political discourse has stooped to a record low. “It is common during elections to comment on candidates from other parties, but making a mockery of a widow is unacceptable,” she said.

Mr Kumaraswamy had commented that he has not seen sorrow on Ms Sumalatha’s face after the death of her husband Mr Ambareesh. “What does he know about my inner feelings and travails I have gone through. Such thoughts are not expected of a person who holds such a high post. After I decided to contest from Mandya, JD(S) has been targeting me unnecessarily. Mr Ambareesh had contested several elections during his three decades in politics and no one dared to open their mouth. But, now I have become a target,” she said.

Countering Minor Irrigation Minister C.S. Puttaraju’s statement that he had helped Mr Ambareesh after he lost the Ramanagar elections, she said, “One needs to have a certain stature to take Mr Ambareesh’s name. I have seen many leaders coming to our house to seek Mr Ambareesh’s blessings. He had helped many in politics, but never discussed it in public. I will leave it to the God to decide who is telling the truth and who’s not. JD(S) leaders don’t have the culture of respecting women, who come up in any field,” she said.