Mandya MP Sumalata extends support to Modi-led BJP government
Mandya (PTI): Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Mandya to inaugurate the 10-lane Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway, independent MP Sumalatha Ambareesh on Friday extended her complete support to the Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre.
The actor-turned-politician, who remained a neutral MP till now, also said the decision was taken in view of the stability given to India and the reputation earned by the country across the globe.
Sumalatha, who represents Mandya constituency in the Lok Sabha, also promised that so long as she is in politics, her son Abhishek will never venture into politics, for she was against dynastic politics.
"After consulting my well-wishers and supporters, I have arrived at a decision. On this day, I am extending my full support to the Narendra Modi government at the Centre," Sumalatha, wife of iconic Kannada actor late Ambareesh said at a press conference here.
She said after four years as an independent MP and facing numerous challenges, especially obstacles in holding public meetings, she realised that she needed support.
"People can draw their conclusions but I have faith in the leadership of Narendra Modi, who is admired across the globe," Sumalatha said.
She also said it is an honour for Mandya that the Prime Minister of the country was visiting the district to inaugurate the expressway.
"The Prime Minister could have chosen to inaugurate it either in Mysuru or Bengaluru but he opted for Mandya, which shows the importance of the district," the MP said.
The MP clarified that the move is aimed at the overall development of Mandya, which according to her, is suffering from a vitiated atmosphere.
In an apparent attack on the JD(S), Sumalatha slammed those "who have turned Mandya into their political citadel and did nothing for the district."
"There is a need for change in Mandya. A vitiated atmosphere has been created here. Let's carry out a 'Swachch Bharat Mission' here in Mandya first," Sumalatha said.
The decision came just two days before Modi's visit to the district. The BJP had backed the MP during the Lok Sabha elections in 2019, which resulted in her victory defeating the former Chief Minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil.
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Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case: HC grants bail to Rona Wilson, Sudhir Dhawale
Mumbai, Jan 8: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted bail to researcher Rona Wilson and activist Sudhir Dhawale, both arrested in 2018 in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case.
A division bench of Justices A S Gadkari and Kamal Khata took note of their long incarceration, and the fact that the trial is not likely to be completed any time soon.
The accused were languishing in jail since 2018 and even the charges are yet to be framed by the special court, defence lawyers Mihir Desai and Sudeep Pasbola had argued.
The high court on Wednesday said it was not dealing with the merits of the case at this stage.
Wilson and Dhawale were directed to submit a surety of Rs one lakh each, and appear before the special NIA court for the trial hearing.
The bench noted that there are over 300 witnesses in the case, and hence it is not possible for the trial to be concluded in the near future.
The case pertains to provocative speeches allegedly delivered at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017, triggering violence at Koregaon-Bhima in Pune district the next day.
The Pune police had claimed the conclave was backed by the Maoists.
The National Investigation Agency later took over the probe. Of the 16 persons arrested in the case, many are now out on bail.
Rona Wilson was arrested in June 2018 from his home in Delhi. He was described by the probe agencies as one of the top brass of urban Maoists.
Sudhir Dhawale was one of the first to be arrested, accused of being an active member of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist).
