Mandya Lok Sabha Constituency is likely to witness a clash of stars, with actor-turned-politician Rakshita Prem expressing her desire to challenge the incumbent Member of Parliament and actor Ramya.
During her recent visit to Mandya, Ms. Rakshita announced that she was ready to contest from this Lok Sabha constituency, if the Janata Dal (Secular), to which she belongs, decides to field her.
Ms. Rakshita told The Hindu that the party, which was finalising candidates for the Lok Sabha polls, had assured her of considering her candidature. She hastened to add that she would continue to work for the party even if denied ticket.
Ms. Rakshita joined the BSR Congress in the run-up to the Assembly elections last year. She later joined the Janata Dal (Secular) with the intention of contesting from Rajarajeshwarinagar, although it did not materialise.
In the Lok Sabha byelections held in 2013, Ms. Ramya contested from Mandya after the seat was vacated by N. Cheluvarayaswamy of the JD(S). Ms. Ramya fought against all odds, with the support of another film actor and political mentor M.H. Ambareesh.
She recently announced that she was ready to contest from Mandya, adding that everything hinges on the decision of the party high command. It is now almost certain that Ms. Ramya will contest from Mandya as the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has resolved to issue ticket to all sitting Lok Sabha members.
But the fate of Ms. Rakshita hangs in the balance as the JD(S) is yet to decide the candidate for Mandya.
According to party sources, the JD(S) is not too keen on fielding her since it does not want to disappoint the former MLA C.S. Puttaraju, who lost to Ms. Ramya in the byelections.
