Mandya: Actress-turned-politician Sumalatha Ambareesh recently met state election commission officers and sought their protection. Sumalatha has alleged that her whereabouts were being monitored by the police for many days now. Speaking to media after submitting a complaint to the Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka, Sumalatha said that the chief minister was abusing the official machinery to tap her phone and to spy on her. “They have deployed intelligence and police officers near my office. This has been happening for over a month now,” she said.

also read: Jaya Prada likely to contest against Azam Khan on BJP seat

In her complaint to the commission, she alleged that she is being intimidated and that her phone is being tapped. "I have been put under surveillance by the government. I am being threatened against visiting the villages of the Mandya Lok Sabha constituency to seek votes. So, the commission must intervene," she said. She said that there were instances of a few men trying to gather information from her security guards and attempting to take photographs of those visiting the house. “I had even asked a couple of them what were they doing outside my house but was unable to get a convincing reply. My phone too has been tapped,” she alleged.

She said that due to the security threat she has requested the government to provide her additional security. Earlier in the day, Sumalatha met BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa in the backdrop of the saffron party deciding to support her candidature by not fielding its candidate in Mandya. With the BJP backing her, Mandya is set for a direct contest between Sumalatha and Nikhil.

also read: Israel another air strikes across Gaza Strip in retaliation of rocket attack