Mandya Lok Sabha polls: Sumalatha Ambareesh to fly on SM Krishna's saffron wings?

Bengaluru: Soon after 'Mahashivaratri' next week, Sumalatha Ambareesh could well take her biggest step in politics choose a party to represent in Mandya Lok Sabha polls.

The still stunning actress has three options leverage the support of party leaders and fans of her late husband Ambareesh to secure a ticket from the Congress, accept the invitation of top BJP leaders including former external affairs minister S.M. Krishna to enter the fray as the party candidate, or contest as an independent.

Her decision, however, will depend on next week's meeting of top Congress leaders on whether to field a candidate in the hotbed of Vokkaliga politics or leave the seat to alliance partner JD(S).

Former Congress minister M S Atmananda said indications are that a call would be taken on the candidate soon after 'Mahashivaratri.".

Though a rookie in politics, Mrs Sumalatha has hit the ground running, and met important leaders during her visit to all eight Assembly constituencies in Mandya district. She demonstrated her ability to communicate in flawless Kannada, and her speech laced with emotions, when she addressed fans of her late husband outside her residence for the first time last month, impressed even bystanders with her speech.

Congress workers in Mandya voted for BJP candidate Dr Siddaramaiah as they were upset with the decision of the top brass to allow JD(S) to contest the Lok Sabha bypoll last year. During upcoming Lok Sabha polls too, a similar situation could help Sumalatha if Congress hands Mandya to JD (S). If she does go with the BJP whose vote share has grown, Mr. Krishna's supporters could also throw in their lot with her.