Sumalatha had won the 2019 general elections in Mandya with the support of BJP defeating Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil.
Published Apr 03, 2024 | 6:30 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 03, 2024 | 7:03 PM
Sumalatha with BY Vijayendra. (X)
Mandya’s independent MP Sumalatha Ambareesh on Wednesday, 3 April, announced that she would join the BJP.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Sumalatha had scripted history by emerging victorious as Mandya’s first Independent woman MP. She had defeated Nikhil Kumaraswamy on JD(S)’ home turf.
On Wednesday, she ceded the seat to Nikhil’s father HD Kumaraswamy. Sumalatha extended her support to NDA candidate and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
“I will not leave Mandya and you will see me working for you in the coming days. I have decided to join the BJP,” the 60-year-old actor-turned-politician said addressing her supporters in Bengaluru, adding that she will not contest the elections.
Sumalatha had won the 2019 general elections with the support of BJP defeating Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil.
JD(S) headed by former prime minister HD Deve Gowda joined the NDA in September last year.
As part of the seat-sharing arrangement, the BJP would now contest in 25 constituencies and the JDS the remaining three, including Mandya, in the state.
A few days ago Kumaraswamy had met Sumalatha and sought her cooperation amidst the backdrop of shifting alliances and electoral uncertainties in the constituency.
She said though she was an independent MP, the BJP government gave grants to Mandya Lok Sabha constituency to the tune of ₹4,000 crore, and praised BJP leaders for always taking her into confidence before taking any decision pertaining to the district.
“When the Prime Minister told me that the BJP needs me and requested me not to leave the party, I have to honour him,” she said.
Sumalatha said the BJP leaders offered her to contest from elsewhere but she rejected it saying that she will stick to Mandya for being the ‘daughter-in-law’ of the district.
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 or in future. How can a person with self-esteem ever wish to go to Congress after listening to these words,” the MP said.
In her emotionally charged speech, Sumalatha explained her commitment towards Mandya as her late husband Ambareesh belonged to this district, and explained about her work in the last five years.
#Karantaka: Mandya incumbent MP @sumalathaA not to contest in #LokasabhaElection2024 and to join @BJP4India.
Addressing her well-wishers and supporters in #Mandya, MP Sumalatha said: "I will not be contesting in this elections. But I am not going away from Mandya."
"There is… pic.twitter.com/TyGonLIofe
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) April 3, 2024
According to her, Lok Sabha elections are not child’s play and being a woman contesting the election as an independent MP was even more challenging. “However, you showered your blessings in 2019 and made me the independent MP.”
Later talking to reporters she said she declined to contest the election as she did not want to be adamant. “I want the BJP to grow in Mandya,” she said.
On campaigning for Kumaraswamy, Sumalatha said: “Once I join the BJP, then only I can reveal my stand from the party’s point of view.”
The MP also said she has not put forth any demand for joining the BJP.
She had earlier said that she received an offer from Congress leaders: “Congress leaders invited me to their party on a friendly note, but no official or serious pursuing on the matter has been witnessed from their end.”
She clarified: “They have not approached me officially to date. When the grand old party’s leaders met [me] at an event, they insisted that I join their party. But it seems there is nothing serious from their end. I have had only casual conversations with them. I have not held any official talks with the Congress on joining the party.”
(With PTI inputs)
