Big show of strength as Sumalatha files papers

Sumalatha Ambareesh on Wednesday filed nomination papers as an independent candidate from Mandya Lok Sabha seat. She is contesting against Nikhil Kumaraswamy of JD(S).

Accompanied by her son Abhishek, fim personalities Doddanna and Rockline Venkatesh, Sumalatha filed the papers at Deputy Commissioner's office here. Later, Sumalatha, accompanied by thousands of her supporters, took out a procession from DC Office to Silver Jubilee Park, where she addressed them. Actors Yash, Darshan and others joined Sumalatha in the procession.

Earlier in the day, Sumalatha offered puja at Chamundeshwari temple atop Chamundi Hill in Mysuru.

As a jolt to the prospects of coalition partners, the party workers of Congress and JD(S) came in support of Sumalatha. The fans of Ambareesh, irrespective of political parties, caste and community, came together in support of his wife Sumalatha.

The people raising slogans for Ambareesh, Sumalatha, Abhishek and actors Yash and Darshan, moved along the procession.

A large number of Congress workers, holding party flags, accompanied the actress during the procession. The members of Hindu Sena, Rajya Raitha Sangha, Swaraj India, extended their support to Sumalatha.

Traffic on Mysuru-Bengaluru national highway in Mandya came to halt for more than 30 minutes as a large number of people, supporters of Sumalatha, gathered there. The procession commenced at 11.30 am after she offered flora tribute to the statue of Sir M Visvesvaraya and Dr B R Ambedkar at Cauvery Park, on Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway. The traffic came to halt for more than 30 minutes. However, later, the Police diverted the traffic.

Loudspeakers playing songs from films featuring Ambareesh enthralled the people.