Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 25: In a backdrop of Lok Sabha polls, independent candidate from Mandya and yesteryear actor Sumalatha has complained to the Election Commission that the government is tapping her telephone lines.

Sumalatha, wife of the late actor Ambareesh, alleged that the state government was misusing all its all agencies, including the police department to aid JD(S) candidate Nikhil, son of chief minister HD Kumaraswamy. She also alleged that the ruling government, in the absence of police protection was intimidating her against contesting the polls.

While primarily the actress filed an oral complaint, she is expected to hand over a formal written complaint to Karnataka chief electoral officer Sanjiv Kumar later in the day.

In Mandya, the direct contest is between Sumalatha and Nikhil, as BJP decided to back the Sumalatha by not fielding its candidate. Sumalatha also met BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa, after the party announced support to her candidature.

Sumalatha told reporters on Monday that she expected Congress party workers to be expelled for supporting her. “Nobody is hurt by the Congress decision to expel its party workers,” she said.

She also refused to comment on CM Kumaraswamy criticizing actors Yash and Darshan, who are supporting her.

Expressing confidence to win, she said she will ask people on what the course of action should be after winning. “We will not be deterred by remarks and will be with the people,” she said.