In a startling twist that has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of Karnataka’s Melukote constituency, the recent Assembly elections have revealed a bitter feud brewing between BJP leader, Dr. Indresh N. S., and Lok Sabha MP Sumalatha Ambareesh.
With a terrible defeat still fresh in his mind, Dr. Indresh has launched a scathing accusation, laying blame squarely at the doorstep of Sumalatha, accusing her of orchestrating his downfall by throwing her weight behind the winning candidate, Darshan Puttannaiah.
In the aftermath of the recent Assembly elections in Karnataka’s Melukote constituency, Indresh accuses the Independent MP of providing assistance to Darshan Puttannaiah of the Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha (SKP).
Indresh alleges that Sumalatha, who initially backed the BJP in the run-up to the elections, made a sudden shift just days before the polls. He asserts that her statement expressing support for Darshan Puttannaiah played a decisive role in his defeat.
Expressing his opposition, Indresh pledges to raise this matter during an upcoming party meeting. Indresh claims that the unexpected turn of events following Sumalatha’s statement in Pandavapura created apprehension among voters, who feared the return of JD (S) leader C. S. Puttaraju to power, consequently leading to a significant decline in Indresh’s vote share.
Sumalatha had previously announced her support for the BJP in March, actively campaigning on behalf of the party candidates in various parts of Mandya. However, it was the SKP candidate, Darshan Puttannaiah, backed by the Congress party, who secured a resounding victory in the Melukote Assembly constituency. Puttannaiah’s triumph came with a comfortable margin of 10,862 votes, defeating JD (S) candidate C. S. Puttaraju.
It is worth noting that during the 2019 Lok Sabha election, when Sumalatha contested as an Independent candidate in Mandya, SKP had provided support to her.
Responding to the allegations made by Indresh, a close aide of Sumalatha, Belur Somashekhar, suggests the existence of a conspiracy against M. P. Somashekhar clarifies that Sumalatha’s decision to support the BJP was contingent upon certain conditions, particularly her commitment to refrain from campaigning against Darshan Puttannaiah due to her strong support from farmer organisations.
Somashekhar firmly asserts that Sumalatha never directly campaigned for Puttannaiah, emphasising that his victory margin would have been even greater had she done so. He criticised Indresh for his remarks and hints at ulterior motives behind the BJP leader’s accusations.
The election results in Mandya District reflect the Congress party’s dominance, securing victory in five seats, while JD (S) managed to secure one seat, and SKP claimed one seat as well.
As political rivalries unfold, the blame game intensifies, adding fuel to the already charged atmosphere in Karnataka’s political landscape. The battlefield of politics has now become a stage for political vendettas and explosive claims, leaving voters and party members alike stunned and hungry for answers.