MANDYA: Incumbent Mandya MP Sumalatha Ambareesh, who was left out of the Lok Sabha race by the BJP, on Wednesday announced that she will support the alliance candidate H D Kumaraswamy and also join the BJP. It is expected the she will join the BJP on April 6.
Addressing her supporters at the Kalikamba community hall here today, Sumalatha Ambareesh said she would not move out of Mandya and invoked the love her husband had got from the people of the district. “My entry into politics was accidental and though I was an independent candidate, you ensured my victory by a margin of 1.25 lakh votes. I have put in a lot of efforts over the last five years and I am happy that I have achieved some of the goals”, she said.
Sumalatha said, “There are complaints that my works have not reached the people. Ambareesh did not seek publicity for his work and likewise, my work should speak for itself”. Presenting a report card of her achievements as an Independent MP, she pointed out that she had raised more than 220 questions in Parliament. An emotional Sumalatha said there were more challenges in this election.
“In the last election, the BJP had supported me and I extended my support in 2023. Today, the party is in an alliance with the JD(S). I got several suggestions to contest from Bangalore North or Chikkaballapur, but I am not leaving Mandya”, she said.
Even as she was speaking, some of her supporters suggested to her to cut short her speech and file her nomination right away. But she insisted that her political activity will revolve around Mandya. “Some of you suggested that I should join Congress, but some leaders said that party does not need Sumalatha. Don’t tell me to go where I have no respect”, she said.
“Impressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s work, I will be joining the BJP. The PM himself had said the party needs my leadership. The BJP nurtures leaders. Today, the world is looking at India because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Even though I was an independent candidate, the government released Rs 4,000 crore in grants. Some people leave parties if they don’t get MP or MLA seats, but I am giving up my seat and joining the BJP”, she said.
To a question on whether she would campaign for the alliance candidate, Sumalatha said, “I will first join the BJP and work within its framework. Till then, I will not join any campaign. Kumaraswamy visited me and sought support putting the past behind. After joining the party, I will do as directed”.
Actor Darshan and her son Abhishek Ambarish, senior actor Doddanna, producer Rockline Venkatesh were also present on the occasion.