Former South Indian actor Sumalatha Ambareesh, who was the only independent candidate to have won in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, is eager to seek reelection from Mandya. She is confident of securing the BJP nomination in the Vokkaliga-dominated district, which was previously represented by her late husband MH Ambareesh. The political situation has become uncertain, as the BJP and JDS are yet to finalize a seat-sharing deal and the JDS has a strong presence in the district compared to the BJP. If Sumalatha wishes to contest on a BJP ticket, the JDS must concede the seat to the saffron party.