Karnataka: Sumalatha meets PM Modi; seeks endorsement for Lok Sabha campaign

The efforts of Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) chief Kumaraswamy to secure Mandya which is considered the party’s fortress is facing challenges from independent candidate Sumalatha. She reached Delhi to lobby for herself as the candidate from the seat. 

Sumalatha had defeated H.D Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil Kumaraswamy by a margin of 1.25 lakh votes in the previous election. H.D Kumaraswamy allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after a disappointing performance in the 2023 elections. Reports have suggested that 4 seats will be fought by the JD(S) in the 2024 election as part of the election. Sumalatha is also in favour of Modi’s campaign. How this would play out in seat sharing especially, in the region of Mandya remains to be seen. 

Kumaraswamy had taken the lead in the rally against the replacement of a Hanuman flag with an Indian flag in the Keragodu region of Mandya. His ambition for the party to represent the region does not remain hidden. Sumalatha, who was not in the limelight for a while, has played her cards from Delhi. She attended the Budget Session. She met prominent leaders of the BJP such as JP Nadda and BL Santosh and put forward the request to represent the party in the region. She also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi over this issue. 

Speaking to NewsFirst she stated that Modi was supportive of her campaign  for Mandya and had positive things to say.