What is Sumalatha’s contribution to Mandya, asks Kumaraswamy

TNN
February 5, 2019

Bengaluru, Feb 5: The Mandya Lok Sabha seat has become the centre of a tug-of-war between allies JD(S) and Congress, with strong opposition growing to the candidature of Sumalatha, widow of former minister and actor MH Ambareesh, from JD(S) workers.

While chief minister HD Kumaraswamy questioned Sumalatha’s contribution to the Mandya Lok Sabha seat, once represented by Ambareesh, JD(S) MLC KT Srikantegowda said Sumalatha was from Andhra Pradesh and not a “Mandya Gowdti (local Vokkaliga)”.

In the Congress camp, while minister Satish Jarkiholi said candidature for the seat will be decided by the JD(S) and his party will not contest there, KPCC president Dinesh Gundurao maintained he would welcome her entry into politics.

Replying to a query during a pre-budget interaction with senior journalists in Bengaluru on Monday on his “defeatist and emotional” statements on leading a coalition government, Kumaraswamy brought up the Sumalatha issue. The CM justified his behavior by saying tragic heroes sell in politics.

“By making those statements, I get people’s sympathy,” Kumaraswamy candidly admitted. In the same breath, the CM, who had initially declined to comment on the tussle between the JD(S) and Sumalatha, asked: “What is Sumalatha’s contribution to the constituency?” Kumaraswamy said there was sympathy for Sumalatha, which was the reason for her getting publicity. “People accept all this,” he said. The CM claimed Sumalatha, who was an actor herself, had done nothing for Mandya when Ambareesh was alive, nor has she done anything now.

Meanwhile, Srikantegowda faced an angry backlash from fans of Ambareesh after making unsavoury comments against her. Asked to comment on the party considering Sumalatha’s candidature for the seat, he said: “She is from Andhra Pradesh and not a Mandya Gowdti. We have already seen how Ramya [former MP and actor] betrayed the people of Mandya by always remaining elusive during her stint as MP. Ambareesh himself refused to contest last time because he knew he would be defeated. The people of Mandya have suffered enough by callous politicians like Ramya and Ambareesh. Mandya voters should not support politicians who do not take public life seriously.”

Soon after his comments were telecast by news channels, Ambareesh fans took to social media to lambast the JD(S) leader. Some even issued threats. A senior police officer said police protection will be provided to Srikantegowda.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Siddaramaiah, who unsuccessfully contested the Mandya byelection, said if Sumalatha wants to contest as a BJP candidate, she will have to work as a common party worker in Mandya district and only then be eligible for a ticket.

Nothing wrong in Nikhil entering politics

Kumaraswamy said too much should not be read into his actor-son Nikhil’s possible entry into politics. “A doctor’s son becomes a doctor, a bureaucrat’s son pursues civil services, a lawyer’s offspring also follows his father’s profession. So what’s wrong in a politician’s son entering politics, even if it is the third generation?” he asked.

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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru CEN police have arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly posting provocative and misleading content on an Instagram page named “mr_a_titude”, targeting the Bajpe police.

Mangaluru Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H identified the arrested as Abhishek M, a resident of Katipalla in Mangaluru.

A case has been registered at the Bajpe Police Station under Sections 353(1)(c), 353(2), 56, and 57 read with Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the post.

According to police, the accused uploaded a photograph of a hotel on the Instagram page and alleged that accused persons in a murder case under the Bajpe police jurisdiction were being given “royal treatment” by the police, including being served beef meals daily from the hotel.

The post further accused the police of supporting criminals, misusing their authority, and betraying public trust. Police said the content was provocative in nature and aimed at inciting public outrage against the police.

Following the post, a case was registered at the Bajpe police station, and further investigation was transferred to the CEN police station.

Police records indicate that the accused has a criminal history, with multiple cases registered against him, including murder, attempt to murder, assault, and robbery at the Surathkal Police Station, and one case at the Kaup Police Station.

The Commissioner said the accused was traced and arrested using technical evidence.

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News Network
December 7,2025

SHRIMP.jpg

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Udupi, Dec 15: What was meant to be a post-pilgrimage gathering turned tragic in Padukere village of Brahmavar taluk, Udupi district, late Sunday night, when a clash among youths escalated into a fatal assault, leaving one man dead.

The victim has been identified as 30-year-old Santosh Mogaveera, a resident of Padukere.

According to preliminary information, the incident took place during a late-night drinking party involving a group of local youths who had recently returned after completing their pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine. An argument reportedly broke out among the group and soon escalated into a violent confrontation.

During the ensuing brawl, Santosh Mogaveera was allegedly assaulted and collapsed at the spot after sustaining serious injuries. He was rushed by local residents to a private hospital in Brahmavar, where doctors declared him dead.

On receiving information, senior police officials, including Brahmavar Circle Inspector Gopikrishna, Kota Police Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar T, Station ASI Manthesh Jabagoudar, and head constables Pradeep and Ashok, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.

Police have taken four youths into custody in connection with the incident. A case has been registered at the Kota police station, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the death.

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