Mandya’s independent MP Sumalatha Ambareesh on Wednesday, 3 April, announced she would join the BJP. She scripted history in the 2019 elections by emerging victorious as Mandya’s first Independent woman MP. She had defeated Nikhil Kumaraswamy on JD(S)’ home turf. On Wednesday, she ceded the seat to Nikhil’s father HD Kumaraswamy and extended support to the NDA candidate.