Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, May 26: The new MP of Mandya Lok Sabha constituency Sumalatha Ambareesh on Sunday May 26 met senior leaders of the state BJP. The party had supported her candidature in the just-concluded elections.

Sumalatha met state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa and senior BJP leader S M Krishna and offered her gratitude for their support.

Sumalatha first visited the residence of Yeddyurappa at Dollars Colony in the city and later went to S M Krishna's residence along with Yeddyurappa and R Ashok.

Sumalatha defeated Nikhil Kumaraswamy, son of CM H D Kumaraswamy by a margin of 1,25,876 votes.

Speaking to the media Sumalatha said, "It is my duty to meet each and everyone who has supported me in the elections. I have an opportunity to conditionally support BJP at the centre. I will take the suggestions from the public to develop the district of Mandya and take my next step."

Asked if she would join the BJP officially, she said, "An independent MP cannot officially join any party but as the BJP backed me officially, I can extend issue-based support."

Yeddyurappa said, "As BJP extended support and also due to the fact that Modi mentioned Sumalatha's name when he had come to Mysuru, and because of the support of the people of Mandya, cutting across party lines, Sumalatha has won the election.

"Despite money and muscle power used by the chief minister, Sumalatha has scored a record victory. My congratulations to her. She can take a decision over extending support to BJP based on her discussions with her supporters," he said.