Mandya MP Sumalatha Ambareesh, an independent, met veteran BJP leader S M Krishna on Saturday amid speculation that she is considering joining the saffron party.
Speaking to reporters, Sumalatha said she will decide her future course of action after consulting senior leaders, family members and well-wishers.
Describing Krishna as Mandya’s “tallest leader,” Sumalatha said she came to congratulate him on being awarded the Padma Vibhushan.
“I did not discuss politics,” she said.
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Asked about speculation that she would join BJP, Sumalatha said she was undecided.
“I’ve been an MP for four years. As an independent, technically, I should have joined a party less than six months after being elected. An independent can’t join a party after six months. These are the guidelines. I should have decided then. But I wanted to see the developments and how I can improve my district better,” she said.
“I should also seek suggestions from my supporters. I will discuss it with everybody, including senior leaders, family members and well-wishers. After that, I will decide,” Sumalatha said.
On contesting the upcoming Assembly election, Sumalatha said she had not decided anything for the time being.
“I am waiting to find out how people want to see me. Circumstances also should be favourable. I have to take everything into consideration,” she said.
“Whatever decision I take will not be about me. It’ll be about what’s good for the people who’ve stood by me,” she said, adding that she would make her decision soon.
During the day, Sumalatha held a meeting with her supporters.
In 2019, the BJP-backed Sumalatha defeated the then chief minister H D Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil in a high-voltage Mandya Lok Sabha election.
There is speculation that Sumalatha would join the BJP coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mandya to inaugurate the Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway on March 12.