Mandya, April 3 (UNI) Mandya Independent MP Sumalatha Ambareesh, in a significant announcement made during a supporters' meeting at the Kalikamba temple here, declared that she will not be contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha election and will instead join the BJP.
She emphasized her commitment to her hometown, Mandya, stating that although she won't contest as an independent candidate, she will remain dedicated to serving the people of Mandya.
"I will not leave Mandya and you will see me working for you in the coming days. I have decided to join the BJP," Sumalatha said addressing the media here.
Despite being offered opportunities to contest from Chikkaballapur, Bangalore North, and Mysore constituencies, Sumalatha declined, citing her strong bond with Mandya and her desire to continue serving its people.
Sumalatha revealed that while some of her supporters suggested joining the Congress party, she recounted an incident where a senior Congress leader conveyed to her that the party never considered her presence anytime.
This deeply impacted her self-esteem, leading her to question the idea of aligning herself with Congress, she said.
Sumalatha expressed gratitude towards the BJP leaders and others involved in the decision-making process, emphasizing that she will focus solely on politics in Mandya. Notably, her son Abhishek Ambarish and actor Darshan were present at the meeting.
She highlighted her appreciation for the BJP government at the Centre, acknowledging that despite being an independent Member of Parliament (MP), they allocated significant grants totaling Rs 4,000 crore to the Mandya Lok Sabha constituency.
Sumalatha mentioned an instance where Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally expressed the BJP's need for her and requested her not to leave the party.
She stated that out of respect for the Prime Minister's request and the support she received from BJP leaders, she decided to honour their request and remain with the party.
In a subsequent interaction with reporters, Sumalatha clarified her decision to refrain from contesting the election, stating that she did not want to appear stubborn.
She expressed her desire for the BJP to flourish in Mandya, indicating her willingness to support its growth in the region.
Regarding campaigning for JDS candidate HD Kumaraswamy, Sumalatha hinted at withholding her stance until she officially joined the BJP. She said that her position would be articulated in alignment with the BJP's standpoint once she becomes a member of the party.
Sumalatha also emphasized that she had not made any demands in exchange for joining the BJP, implying that her decision was not contingent on specific conditions or concessions.
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