Sumalata Ambareesh will contest as an independent candidate from Mandya. She will take on Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil in the constituency that was once held by her late husband, actor-turned-politician M.H. Ambareesh, who passed away recently.
Sumalatha announced her decision to contest at a star-studded press meet held at a glitzy hotel in Bengaluru on Monday. Flanked by popular Kannada movie stars Darshan and Yash, producer Rockline Venkatesh, and a huge crowd of fans from Mandya, Sumalatha said she had decided to contest to "honour the sentiments" of the people of Mandya.
The veteran actress had kept everyone guessing on her next move after the Congress, which runs a coalition government in the state with the JDS, denied her a ticket, citing compulsions of seat-sharing.
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Sumalatha's meeting with two former chief ministers—Siddaramaiah and S.M. Krishna (who is now with the BJP)—had led to more speculations. But, she has finally made her stand clear. Two weeks after extensive campaigns in Mandya, where she has also held meetings with prominent local leaders, Sumalatha announced her decision to file nomination on March 20 as an independent candidate.
"Today, I have come to share a few things with you all. We choose the moments in our life. But, sometimes, the moments come looking for us. Four months back, the moment I dreaded the most came looking for me. I lost him [Ambareesh],” said Sumalatha. “If I speak more, it might be construed differently. But, it is a fact there was sudden darkness in my life. Despite having everyone else, my friends and family, I felt the vacuum.”
“My house, which was always bustling with people, had fallen empty. At that helpless moment, the people of Mandya, Ambareesh's fans, came to me and told me not to lose heart. Only then I knew how much these people loved my husband. Now, I realised how much they loved me and my son. They wanted to see me fill in for Ambareesh. They wanted me to contest from Mandya.”
“If I don't honour their sentiments, I don't deserve to be called Ambareesh's wife,” she said. “Some may not approve of my decision. I feel some relations and friendships might break. I needed the courage and confidence to take a bold step forward. The people have given it to me. I apologise if anyone has been hurt by my decision.”
Star actors Darshan and Yash said they had come to stand with Sumalatha as her "sons" and not as actors. "It is my good fortune that the Ambareesh family considers me as their son. Today, akka has made a decision to contest and we will support her without a question in our mind. Everybody in Mandya can connect to Ambareesh. Akka has all the qualities needed for a good candidate. People who trust me will definitely trust akka too," said Yash, amid cheers from his fans.
Darshan seconded Yash and said he had campaigned for Ambareesh in three Assembly and one Lok Sabha elections and this election will not be an exception. "Today, we are not seeking sympathy votes, but votes for what Appachu [Ambareesh] has done for the people of Mandya," said Darshan.
Darshan, who is known to be a good friend of Deve Gowda's grandson Prajwal Revanna, surprised everyone when he said he would readily campaign for Prajwal if he approaches him.
Film producer Rockline Venkatesh said Sandalwood was one big family and was always in Ambareesh's "party". "As you can see, everyone from the industry is backing Akka. Apart from Darshan and Yash, Sudeep and Puneet Rajkumar have extended their support. We also understand many artists have identified with different political parties and are holding important positions. We will not insist that they support us as we know they are with us,” said Venkatesh, urging people not to hurt a woman who is grieving.
Sumalatha requested her supporters to desist from making personal attacks and using harsh words against anyone during the election campaign. "We should know youngsters are watching us. We must try to be good role models. If the film fraternity is backing me, it is only to prove none of us are rivals or competitors. I don't want one election to ruin relationships."
Dropping hints that she has the support of the Congress cadre in the district, Sumalatha said, "The only party from which I sought a ticket was the Congress party as Ambareesh was with the Congress. But they told me they are not in a position to put up a candidate in Mandya due to the seat-sharing agreement. I feel Congress should have put up a candidate as the party is facing an existential crisis. The party workers and leaders feel that they can never reclaim the constituency. So, when the followers and fans of Ambareesh approached me, it was my duty to respond."
She told the reporters that she as gone to meet former chief ministers S.M. Krishna and Siddaramaiah only to explain to them what was happening and to seek their blessings. "It was not to join any party. I am confident that everyone will support me as Ambareesh was beyond party politics and had friends across party lines."
