Sumalatha Ambareesh to take on Nikhil Kumaraswamy in Mandya as an independent

BENGALURU: Flanked by Kannada stars Darshan and Yash, actor Sumalatha Ambareesh on Monday announced her decision to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Mandya as an independent candidate, ringing the curtain down on the subject.

She is the wife of actor-turned politician, the late Ambareesh, and has acted in about 220 movies in many south Indian languages as well as Hindi. She will be taking on Nikhil Kumaraswamy of the JD(S), who is the son of chief minister HD Kumaraswamy. The JD (S) candidate has acted as hero in two Kannada movies.

The Mandya Lok Sabha seat, consisting of eight Assembly segments, is set to witness a high-profile fight as it is a high-stakes game for the JD(S)-Congress combine. While the JD(S) is pulling out all stops to retain the seat, the Congress is struggling to enforce party discipline among its local leaders and cadres who have openly rebelled against the party for aligning with its traditional rival.

The 55-year-old actor said she has decided to take the plunge not out of lust for political power but due to the love and affection of her late husband’s fans. “Ambareesh left behind many dreams for Mandya. I want to fulfill them,” she said, adding she was aware her decision will break a few friendships and relationships, but she cannot help it. The fans of Ambareesh have been rallying around her in Mandya, while sections of the local Congress leaders have openly pledged support to her. The BJP is expected to throw its weight behind her by not fielding a candidate. The BJP candidate, Siddaramaiah, had polled 2.44 lakh votes in the recent Lok Sabha bypolls, giving the saffron party a big dose of confidence. It now plans to fish in the troubled waters.

A worried JD(S) has been in touch with senior Congress leaders to warn the party unit in Mandya. Tourism minister SR Mahesh of the JD(S) has warned that if the Congress leaders seek to spoil the party in Mandya, JD(S) might be forced to do the same in the neighbouring Mysuru and Bengaluru Rural, leaving the grand old party jittery. Though Sumalatha had delayed announcing her decision, she has been actively touring the district in the recent weeks, interacting with her supporters and voters. Nikhil Kumaraswamy too has been campaigning in Mandya for the past two weeks.