Govt tapping my phones, says Sumalatha

Actor Sumalatha, who is contesting as an independent candidate from the Mandya Lok Sabha seat against Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil, has claimed that the government was tapping her phones.

Sumalatha filed a complaint with the Election Commission here Monday alleging misuse of government machinery.

Speaking to DH, Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer Sanjiv Kumar said Sumalatha had raised concerns about the use of police and other departments to help her opponent. She has complained orally and is expected to file a written complaint later in the day, he said.

Sumalatha has also expressed concerns about her safety, alleging that her opponents were trying to intimidate her. Yet, no security has been provided to her, she has alleged.

Earlier in the day, Sumalatha met BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa in the backdrop of the saffron party deciding to support her candidature by not fielding its candidate in Mandya. With the BJP backing her, Mandya is set for a direct contest between Sumalatha and Nikhil.

Speaking to reporters, Sumalatha said she anticipated the expulsion of Congress workers in Mandya for backing her. The wife of late actor and minister Ambareesh was expecting a Congress ticket from the constituency, before the Congress-JD(S) coalition decided to field a JD(S) candidate as per their seat-sharing agreement.

"Nobody is hurt by the Congress decision to expel its party workers," she said. On Kumaraswamy's criticism targetting actors Yash and Darshan - who are backing her candidature - she said that she would not respond to his comments. "Even Darshan has said the same. We will not be deterred by these remarks and will be with the people. After winning the elections too, we will ask people on what our course of action should be," she said.