Mandya: In an attempt to paper over the differences in the faction-ridden Congress in Mandya which had threatened to undermine the re-election of sitting MP, Ramya, the Who's Who of the state unit of Congress including former external affairs minister S.M. Krishna and housing minister M H Ambareesh and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who has everything riding on Ramya's re-election, presented a show of unity.
But there were enough barbs to point to continuing ego clashes in this hotbed of Vokkaliga politics, on Monday.
Mr Siddaramaiah, KPCC chief Dr G. Parameshwar, and energy minister D.K. Shivakumar joined Mr Ambareesh and Mr Krishna at a rally organised at the small Silver Jubilee Park to seek votes for the actress-politician. But, tension between Mr Krishna and Mr Ambareesh was palpable, their peace formula - sharing of posts between their supporters – had unravelled.
The actor-minister, who drew the loudest applause, said: “I don’t want to indulge in selfish politics. I don’t want my wife or son to become MP or MLA which is why I didn’t give Sumalatha the seat and gave it to Ramya,” adding that the young MP had committed some mistakes during her campaign. “I hope she will learn in the next five years as MP,” he added.
Ramya, fell at the actor’s feet, and broke down when Mr Krishna mentioned her late father R.T. Narayan.
