Actress Sumalatha likely to join BJP; final decision on Amit Shah’s visit

BENGALURU: Hints suggest that popular actress and Lok Sabha member from Karnataka’s Mandya, Sumalatha Ambareesh, is likely to join the BJP. The speculation is rife amid the scheduled visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Karnataka.

Sumalatha had earlier announced that she will contest as a prominent party’s candidate in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. However, she had then said that a decision is yet to be taken about which party to join. It is hinted that BJP leaders have held talks with the actress.

Numerous people including Sumalatha will join the BJP, said Karnataka Minister R Ashoka. The BJP Karnataka leadership has responded that a final decision will be taken in the matter during Amit Shah’s visit. Sumlatha, who contested as an independent candidate, had won in Mandya, which had been a stronghold of JDS, with the BJP’s support. She had defeated former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's son Nikhli Kumaraswamy with a margin of over 1.25 lakh votes. Meantime, BJP’s local leadership has expressed displeasure over Sumalatha’s increasing influence in Mandya. It is also speculated that Sumalatha plans to contest her actor-son Abhishek Ambareesh in the next state assembly polls.