Daijiworld Media Network
Mandya, Apr 13: After prolonged stay at hospitals in India and abroad, Mandya's actor-turned-politician, 'Rebel Star' Ambareesh returned home to a grand welcome from politicians and hundreds of fans on Saturday April 12.
Ambareesh accompanied by former minister L R Shivarame Gowda came to Nidaghatta in the afternoon. As news of his visit spread, excited fans thronged to the place in thousands and welcomed their hero.
After the warm greetings of the overjoyed fans, district Congress president M S Atmananda, Amaravati Chandrashekar, B C Shivananda, working president P M Somashekar, former MLA Kalpana Siddaraju, S Gurucharan, Ramakrishna, Apru Shankar and village panchayat members garlanded the minister.
Touched by the affection of the fans and the rousing welcome he was accorded, Ambareesh became emotional and waved his hand in gratitude to the people. His visit was further celebrated when he was taken in a procession in an open jeep flanked by a bike rally.
Protests against Ramya
Meanwhile, a few people gathered in a group at Mandya and raised slogans against Congress Lok Sabha candidate Ramya, while she was waiting for Ambareesh with a garland to greet him. Protests continued even as the minister reached place. However, both refrained from responding to the protests by fans. Her absence in the rally led by Ambareesh was conspicuous, raising suspicious that all was not well within the Congress.
'No differences of opinion '
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the rally, ministers D K Shivkumar and Ambareesh rubbished reports of internal bickering and claimed that all is well within the party.
"The political environment in Mandya now is similar to the one during the last Lok Sabha by-elections. Ramya will definitely win this time. The opposition parties are indulging in cheap politics and spreading canards about the Congress," they said.
Ambareesh lauded the administrative success of the Congress in the state in a span of eight months. "We have responded and resolved the problems of the people. Voters will definitely show their solidarity with the party. Anna Bhagya, Ksheera Bhagya, housing project and other pro-people projects have been implemented for the benefit of the people," he added.
Traffic hit
Traffic was disrupted in the district as the housing minister flagged off his rally. Commuters on Mysore-Bangalore route were left stranded, while the rally made its way in and around the district.
Though police made full effort to control the traffic, the people were put to much inconvenience.