BJP seeks CRPF protection for Sumalatha, Yash, Darshan

As the war for Mandya hots up, the BJP, which has set its eyes on the Lok Sabha constituency by backing Independent candidate Sumalatha Ambareesh, is taking every opportunity to make her opponent JD(S) candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy's path tougher.

Seconding her claims of Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy misusing the government machinery to spy on her, the saffron party has now sought the Centre’s intervention.

The party's state general secretary, Arvind Limbavali, has written to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, urging him to provide Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) protection to Sumalatha, her son Abhishek and actors Yash and Darshan, who are supporting her in the wake of "violent actions" against them.

Limbavali said Kumaraswamy had resorted to intimidation tactics against Sumalatha as she was contesting against his son Nikhil.

The JD(S) and Congress "goons" had attacked actor Darshan's house, and had also disrupted cable network in Mandya on the day Sumalatha filed her nomination papers, he said.

Limbavali said the JD(S) and Congress leaders were abusing Sumalatha and the two actors and were instigating their workers through social media networks.

"Sumalatha has complained to the Election Commission that the chief minister is abusing the official machinery to tap her phone and spy on her. She has also complained that the coalition government has deployed intelligence and police officers near her office for over a month. There are also instances of information gathering from her security guards, and attempts to photograph people visiting her house. In the wake of these incidents, I request you to ensure adequate security by CRPF and protection to her, son and actors Yash and Darshan," the letter states.

The BJP, which has no presence in Mandya, chose to support Sumalatha, instead of fielding a candidate in the constituency.

On Monday, Sumalatha had made an oral complaint with the Election Commission against Kumaraswamy and had sought protection.