Talks on to get MP Sumalatha Ambareesh to join BJP: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai

MANDYA: Amid swirling speculation that she is likely to join the BJP, Mandya Independent Lok Sabha MP Sumalatha Ambareesh will address a press conference here on Friday to clear the air on the issue. BJP and JD(S) functionaries indicated that she will join the BJP and contest from one of the constituencies in Mandya in the upcoming assembly polls.
"Process is on, discussions are on," chief minister Basavaraj Bommai told reporters in Vijayapura hours after former minister and JD(S) MLA from Melukote CS Puttaraju claimed that he has information that Sumalatha will be joining the ruling BJP on Friday.
"She was keen to join the party during PM Modi's event in Mandya at Gejjalagere in Maddur taluk on March 12, but they did not agree as it is a government event. So, she may join on Friday and later share the dais with the PM at the public meeting after he launches the Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway," Puttaraju said.
In Yadgir, BJP national general secretary CT Ravi, said, "You have waited for so long, wait for another 24 hours. I cannot confirm or deny anything. Every individual brings his or her own strengths to the party."
BJP trying to make inroads in Mandya
Rumour has it that Sumalatha held a meeting with her close supporters in Bengaluru on March 4 and told them that she has offers from both BJP and Congress. A final decision will be taken after reportedly holding another meeting in Mandya.
Technically, Sumalatha cannot join BJP as Independent members once elected to the House will be disqualified if they join a political party under the anti-defection law - the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, inserted by The Constitution (52nd Amendment) Act, 1985. However, she can extend support to the BJP and be an associate member.
Sumalatha won from the Mandya Lok Sabha constituency in a high-voltage contest in 2019 trouncing then chief minister H D Kumaraswamy's son, Nikhil Kumaraswamy, by over one lakh votes.
The BJP is trying to make inroads into Mandya and has been wooing Sumalatha as it does not have a face in the Vokkaliga bastion. Sumalatha's late husband Ambareesh had also represented the district in the past.