Sumalatha Ambareesh, independent MP from Mandya, pledges allegiance to BJP, praises Modi’s leadership

MANDYA: Independent MP from Mandya, Sumalatha Ambareesh, ended the suspense on Friday by pledging allegiance to BJP. While Sumalatha is unlikely to contest assembly polls — unless she resigns from the Lok Sabha, she technically cannot join BJP as it would be a violation of the antidefection law — her support ahead of assembly elections will boost BJP in the Old Mysuru region where BJP has little to no support on the ground.
Just how much of a boost, though, remains to be seen. “After consultations with my well-wishers and supporters, I have decided to extend my full support to BJP,” the wife of late Kannada actor Ambareesh said.
She said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and the reputation India has earned across the globe under his governance were factors that swung the decision. “I wanted to join BJP, but legal provisions don’t allow it,” Sumalatha said. “I will continue to be an independent MP but will associate myself with the saffron party for the development of Mandya.”
Friday’s announcement was presaged by a flurry of meetings with the BJP leadership over the past few days. Speculations were rife that she was bargaining for a ticket for her actor-son Abhishek to contest from a seat in Mandya, a claim which she denied. “I will not promote dynastic politics.
This is an oath to Goddess Chamundeshwari [deity of Mysuru],” she said. She also spiked rumours that she would shift her political base to Bengaluru. During her 90-minute press conference, the 59-year-old spoke with pain on the insults heaped on her by her political opponents in JD(S).
“I know my decision is fraught with risks, but I have accepted the challenge. Now that I’ve associated with BJP, my path will not be easy as the barrage of criticism will be more acute. I’m here to stay as Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah are fighting against dynastic politics,” she said. She said her fight is also against what she called “adjustment politics” that she said prevails in Mandya and which hampers the district’s growth.