Actor Sumalatha, wife of actor-politician late M.H. Ambareesh, who has resolved to contest the Lok Sabha election only from Mandya constituency, on Friday rubbished speculation that she would contest the polls either as an Independent with the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or as the saffron party’s candidate.
Ms. Sumalatha told The Hindu on Friday that she too was surprised after hearing such rumours. “So far, nobody from the BJP has approached me for extending support of any kind. The reports of the BJP supporting me are false and completely fabricated. The question of contesting as an Independent and taking the support of the BJP will not arise under any circumstances,” she said .
On the Congress stand on giving ticket to her to contest from Mandya, she said though Congress leaders, including the former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, have cited maithri dharma (coalition understanding) in sharing of seats, her chances were still bright. “Anything can happen in politics. Nothing has been finalised in this regard. I can say chances are still open,” she said.
Congress leaders had suggested her to contest from Bengaluru South constituency instead of disturbing coalition dynamics in Mandya.
‘Just a suggestion’
“It was just a suggestion. Congress leaders did not exert pressure on me to contest from Bengaluru South. But I told them categorically that there is no question of contesting from any other constituency except Mandya because of the bonding my family has with the people,” she said.
Detailing the other reason for being firm on Mandya, Ms. Sumalatha said Ambareesh had represented the Congress and the party was now in a bad shape in Mandya, as the Janata Dal (Secular) has won the seven Assembly constituencies in the district and also the bypoll to the Lok Sabha from the seat. Not fielding a candidate from Mandya would prove costly to the Congress in the district and there would be no identity for the party for some years at least, she said.
“I consider it is my duty and responsibility to protect the interests of Congress workers and leaders in Mandya, and I reiterate that I will contest from Mandya on the Congress ticket and there will be no change in the decision,” she said.
Ms. Sumalatha said there was immense pressure on her from party workers and leaders in Mandya. “Stalwarts, including G. Made Gowda, had assured me of not only extending support but also impressing upon Congress leaders, both at the Centre and the State, to support my candidature,” she said.