‘Ambareesh’s funeral arrangements was for pol gains’

Former minister A Manju said, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy brought the body of the late actor-politician Ambareesh to Mandya, for public viewing, for political gains.

Speaking to media persons, here on Saturday, Manju, a Congress leader from Hassan, said that Kumaraswamy has been trying to take political mileage by often repeating that he was the one who brought the body of Ambareesh to Mandya.

“The body of Ambareesh was brought to Mandya as his family members agreed. Kumaraswamy alone could not have done it. However, the actual intentions of the JD(S) leaders was evident, when none of them turned up for the Ambareesh memorial programme, Nudi Namana, held in Mandya later,” he said.

Unfit ministers

“The defence of the JD(S) leaders to field Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil from Mandya Lok Sabha constituency, in the upcoming polls, is development of Mandya. There are three ministers under the constituency, including two from the district.

“Does that mean that the ministers are unfit to develop the district. The people of the constituency should elect their own leaders. They should not encourage imports. In Hassan also, only if former prime minister H D Deve Gowda contests, we will support him,” said Manju.

No need for power

“Nikhil’s father is chief minister and grandfather is ex-prime minister. He does not need more power to serve the people of Mandya district if he is really committed,” he said.

DKS criticised

Manju criticised Congress leader D K Shivakumar, for not supporting the Congressmen. “Government seems to be the priority of Shivakumar. But, he should understand that the government is a product of the party and hence the party should be protected,” he said.