Ambareesh's foray boosts Ramya's chances

Voters’ enthusiasm after the visit of Ambareesh following a two-month-long treatment and convalescing in Singapore and Malaysia was visible as they expressed support for the Congress candidate without any hesitation. The ‘Rebel Star’, as his fans call him, visited Mandya on April 12 and declared that his return was to ensure Ramya’s victory.

“I have come here to see that Ramya wins. One need have no doubt about it. I have come here with that purpose even before being fully rested,” he declared during his election rally at the weekend. He also stated that he was sorting out the differences amongst the party cadre even when he was in Malaysia, and pledged to sort out groupism and differences if any before April 17 when the constituency goes to the polls. He rejected talk of any differences with her.

The actor-turned politician’s clear stand to support Ramya Divya Spandana has brightened the sitting MP’s chances of victory over her immediate rival from the Janata Dal (S) C S Puttaraju for whom his party supremo H D Deve Gowda, state president H D Kumaraswamy, K R Nagar MLA S R Mahesh and others are leaving no stone unturned.

“Some local Congress leaders were staying away from the electioneering. After Ambareesh’s visit they have started campaigning for her. If Ambareesh had not visited Mandya, it would have been difficult for her,” said Venkatesh from Saligrama in K R Nagar taluk.

A Congress worker in a village near Kikkeri, K R Pet taluk, made similar remarks and said: “Janata Dal (S) candidate had an edge over Ramya before Ambareesh’s visit. But now the situation has changed.”

He did not fail to compliment Chief Minister Siddaramaiah too. “Siddaramaiah regularly visits Mandya. We will go by his directions. Now that Ambareesh too has thrown his weight behind Ramya, all the Congress leaders have set aside their differences. Ramya is sure to win by 5,000 to 10,000 lead, though it would be less than last time,” he said.

Besides, Puttaraju, BJP’s B Shivalingaiah and AAP’s C S Hanumanthappa are also in the fray. There was no indication of any Modi-wave or influence of the AAP in the constituency. Some BJP workers campaigning in the area were sceptical about their candidate’s chances.

Melkote MLC Puttannaiah’s and his Rajya Rytha Sangha throwing their weight in favour of Congress too has boosted the chances of Ramya. Besides K R Nagar, K R Pet, Melkote, the other five Assembly constituencies of Mandya area Srirangapatna, Malavalli (SC), Maddur, Nagam- angala and Mandya.