Bengaluru: Mandya sitting Independent MP Sumalatha Ambareesh on Wednesday, April 3, has extended her support to Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Sumalatha is likely to join the Bharatiya Janata Party on April 6. This comes as a major boost to the BJP-JDS alliance in the state of Karnataka ahead of the crucial 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 on Wednesday as she declared support to HD Kumaraswamy- NDA's candidate from Mandya in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. 

Sumalatha Ambareesh had earlier said that she decide on contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and announce her decision at Kalikamba Temple in the district headquarter town of Mandya on Wednesday. 

Sumalatha Heaps Praises on BJP

Sumalatha heaped praises on the BJP as she said that the BJP leadership has always taken her into confidence before taking any decision pertaining to Mandya.

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.

"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. She said though she was an independent MP, the BJP government at the Centre gave grants to Mandya Lok Sabha constituency to the tune of Rs 4,000 crore.

Why Sumalatha Didn't Join Congress

While announcing her decision to join the BJP, Sumalatha said that some of her supporters also wanted her to join Congress.

Opening about her reason to not join the Congress party, the independent MP said, “But a senior Congress leader said the party never felt the need of 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.”

Who is Sumalatha? 

Backed by BJP, Sumalatha had won the 2019 elections defeating former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) patriarch H D Deve Gowda's grandson and Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil Kumaraswamy. Mandya is considered Janata Dal Secular's fortress. 

In her emotionally-charged speech, Sumalatha explained her commitment towards Mandya as her husband late Ambareesh belonged to this district. According to her, Lok Sabha elections are not a 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," Sumalatha said. 

BJP Banking on Kumaraswamy This Time 

The BJP and JD(S) alliance in Karnataka has decided to field H D Kumaraswamy from Mandya constituency this time. For the same, the NDA constituents BJP and JD(S)-had requested her not to contest the election this time assuring her a 'bright political future.'