BJP on Saturday decided to not to field a candidate in Mandya Lok Sabha seat instead it declared support to independent candidate film actress Sumalatha.
Sumalatha, wife of late actor Ambarish, who filed nomination as an independent candidate, had earlier sought saffron party's support. She also met senior BJP leaders in the state including former Chief Minister S M Krishna and requested them not to field a candidate.
With BJP deciding to support an independent candidate, now there will be a straight fight between Sumalatha and Nikil Kumaraswamy, son of Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who is contesting as JD(S)-Congress joint candidate.
From Kolar segment, the saffron party has fielded Muniswamy, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike corporator from Kadugodi ward. He will fight against Congress candidate former Union Minister K H Muniyappa.
Of the 28 Lok Sabha seats, the party is yet to announce the candidature for another five seats including Bengaluru South. From Bengaluru South segment, which was earlier represented by late Ananth Kumar. Ananth Kumar wife Tejaswini Ananth Kumar is keen to fight from this seat.