Sumalatha to contest for BJP from Mandya? Actor meets J P Nadda, sparks rumours

The Mandya MP, who defeated JD(S) scion Nikhil Kumaraswamy in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, called on the two BJP leaders in New Delhi, and later posted photographs with them on the social media website X.

Mandya MP Sumalatha Ambareesh (Independent) on Thursday met BJP national president J P Nadda and party general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh, giving rise to speculations that she is making a claim for the BJP ticket for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

"Today, I met BJP National President J P Nadda and BJP National General Secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh informally and discussed about Mandya constituency and the Lok Sabha elections. I thank Nadda Ji and Santhosh Ji for giving their precious time and listening to me. Thanks again for your kind words,” Sumalatha said in a post on social media platform X.

Sumalatha, has been cosying up to the BJP and is aspiring for a ticket from the party, sources close to her said.

If the BJP denies her the ticket, she has kept the options open, the sources said.

The actor-turned-politician had recently said some senior leaders in the Congress were also in touch with her.

Alliance the hurdle?

Since the JD(S) joined as the NDA alliance partner, Mandya constituency has become a contentious issue for both the parties.

Sumalatha had defeated JD(S) leader and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil Kumaraswamy in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.