Darshan, Yash had backed Sumalatha last time in 2019

Sumalatha had defeated Nikhil in Mandya

She is the only Independent candidate from Karnataka

Sumalatha, who is currently the MP representing the Mandya constituency in Karnataka, may fight the Lok Sabha elections 2024 as a coalition candidate from the BJP and JD(S). 

Last time, she won the elections as an independent candidate, defeating former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil Kumaraswamy. 

Throwing their weight behind Sumalatha were tinseltown heroes Darshan and Yash. Both of them campaigned for her rigorously and effectively, helping her in her debut victory. 

What about this time? 

Now, on the threshold of another election, Sumalatha says she does not force anyone to campaign for her. This time, she adds that the campaigning would be very different. Though Darshan’s entry will add massive fillip to her campaign and make it more robust, she maintains that she will not force him or anyone else to back her. Noting that there is the question of livelihood in the world of movies, she said Darshan could come to help her out, but stressed volition. 

In the last election, she defeated Nikhil with a margin of 128,876 votes. Notably, she is the first Independent woman Member of parliament from Karnataka.