Will Ambareesh's loss turn into actress Ramya's gain?

The fans and supporters of actress Ramya have demanded the Congress party to induct the former member of parliament back into the Cabinet. They held a protest to assert their demand in Mandya on Tuesday, June 21.

According to The Hindu, Ramya's supporters have blamed supporters of actor-turned-politician Ambareesh for indulging in anti-party activities, which have taken a toll on the Congress in the Mandya region. They claim that when Ramya was an MP, she was accessible and travelled to every nook and corner of Mandya to understand the plight of people. The former actress has the ability to reach out to the masses and strengthen the party in the region, they add, urging the state government to give her a berth in the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, a report in Oneindia reveals that a top leader from the Centre has directed the state leadership to make her an MLC and include her in the Siddaramaiah government.

Ramya forayed into politics by winning a by-election from the Mandya consistency in 2013. Her happiness was short-lived as she was defeated by CS Puttaraju from Janatha Dal (S) in the general elections, which were held less than a year after she was elected.

Rumours in the political circles said that her rift with Ambareesh played spoilsport for her. Later, she reportedly wrote to the party's leadership, blaming Ambi for her defeat from the Mandya constituency.

Meanwhile, Ambareesh has hit out at Chief Minister Siddaramiah for dropping him from the Cabinet. "I have my own popularity," he asserted, adding that his biggest complaint is that his boss, the chief minister, did not warn him about his removal. "I would have given up (the post) for a younger leader," NDTV quotes the former minister as saying. Ambareesh, who served as a housing minister, was sacked by the party due to his failing health and poor performance.