MANDYA: Incumbent Mandya MP Sumalatha Ambareesh ended uncertainty over her political future by declaring her decision to join BJP, forgoing a chance to seek re-election from Mandya in Lok Sabha elections later this month.
Sumalatha had won in 2019 with the support of BJP, defeating former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil of JD(S).
“I will not leave Mandya and you will see me working for you in the coming days,” the 60-year-old actor-turnedpolitician said while addressing supporters in Mandya.She also declared her decision to align with BJP, citing her desire to strengthen Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and her son, Abhishek Ambareesh, also an actor, were present at Wednesday’s meeting with supporters. Darshan and another actor Yash had both supported her during the 2019 elections.
However, she remained non-committal on campaigning for Kumaraswamy, the NDA candidate this time, stating that she will adhere to directives of the BJP leadership after officially joining the party.
Sumalatha had hoped to contest from Mandya on a BJP ticket, but was denied the opportunity after BJP and JD(S) formed an alliance. Under the seat-sharing agreement, BJP would contest 25 seats, while the JD(S) would contest three — Mandya, Hassan, and Kolar.
Sumalatha received widespread approval from most of her supporters during her emotionally charged speech. Supporters clapped and chanted slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’. She said the decision to sacrifice a chance of being re-elected was for the party’s greater good. She expressed her commitment to the development of the country, state, and her district.
Justifying her decision to join BJP, she said though she was an independent MP, the BJP govt at the Centre gave grants worth Rs 4,000 crore to Mandya Lok Sabha constituency. She praised BJP functionaries for always taking her into confidence before taking any decision pertaining to the district.
“When the PM told me that BJP needs me and requested me to work with the party, I have to honour him,” she said.
Sumalatha said she was offered the choice of contesting from elsewhere, but she rejected it saying that she would remain the “daughterin-law” of Mandya.
She said some of her supporters also wanted her to join Congress. “But a senior Congress leader said the party never felt the need for Sumalatha in the party — neither earlier nor now. How can a person with self-esteem ever wish to join Congress after hearing this,” she said.
Sumalatha had won in 2019 with the support of BJP, defeating former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil of JD(S).
“I will not leave Mandya and you will see me working for you in the coming days,” the 60-year-old actor-turnedpolitician said while addressing supporters in Mandya.She also declared her decision to align with BJP, citing her desire to strengthen Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and her son, Abhishek Ambareesh, also an actor, were present at Wednesday’s meeting with supporters. Darshan and another actor Yash had both supported her during the 2019 elections.
However, she remained non-committal on campaigning for Kumaraswamy, the NDA candidate this time, stating that she will adhere to directives of the BJP leadership after officially joining the party.
Sumalatha had hoped to contest from Mandya on a BJP ticket, but was denied the opportunity after BJP and JD(S) formed an alliance. Under the seat-sharing agreement, BJP would contest 25 seats, while the JD(S) would contest three — Mandya, Hassan, and Kolar.
Sumalatha received widespread approval from most of her supporters during her emotionally charged speech. Supporters clapped and chanted slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’. She said the decision to sacrifice a chance of being re-elected was for the party’s greater good. She expressed her commitment to the development of the country, state, and her district.
Justifying her decision to join BJP, she said though she was an independent MP, the BJP govt at the Centre gave grants worth Rs 4,000 crore to Mandya Lok Sabha constituency. She praised BJP functionaries for always taking her into confidence before taking any decision pertaining to the district.
“When the PM told me that BJP needs me and requested me to work with the party, I have to honour him,” she said.
Sumalatha said she was offered the choice of contesting from elsewhere, but she rejected it saying that she would remain the “daughterin-law” of Mandya.
She said some of her supporters also wanted her to join Congress. “But a senior Congress leader said the party never felt the need for Sumalatha in the party — neither earlier nor now. How can a person with self-esteem ever wish to join Congress after hearing this,” she said.
