Actress Sumalatha seeks support of S M Krishna for candidacy from Mandya
Bengaluru, Mar 15: Sumalatha Ambareesh, wife of late actor-turned-politician, who is likely to contest as an independent from Mandya in the Lok Sabha polls, Friday met senior BJP leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna here and sought his support.
Krishna, a prominent Vokkaliga leader from Mandya Said he would discuss with the party leadership on supporting her in the polls.
On her part,Sumalatha said she would reveal her decision on contesting the polls and her plan of action by March 18.
"Sumalatha informed me about contesting the polls from Mandya. I will also speak to the BJP leadership,"Krishna said.
Speaking to reporters, he said the BJP would take a decision by March 18 on whether to field a candidate from Mandya or support Sumalatha by not fielding a candidate.
Conceding that there is a demand within the BJP to field a candidate from Mandya, he said "After taking a total view...also looking into the decision that Sumalatha will take on March 18, BJP will take a decision."
On him supporting Sumalatha if the party's decision was otherwise, he said "S M Krishna is not different from BJP as he is part of it."
With Congress ruling out fielding Sumalatha for the Mandya Lok Sabha seat, saying it would go to it's coalition partner JD(S), clamour is growing within the BJP to induct her into the party and field her as the candidate.
A section within the BJP believe that if Sumalatha joins the party and is fielded as a candidate in Mandya, it would help the saffron party, which doesn't have much presence in the Vokkaliga bastion.
Sumalatha's late husband Ambareesh had contested and won from Mandya in the past.
However, according to top BJP sources, instead of inducting her, the party may support her as an independent so that she can continue to bank on the support of disgruntled Congress leaders in Mandya, who are upset about their party's decision to cede the seat to JD(S).
"Her winning is more important now...so support of those disgruntled with the Congress will be an added advantage,which she may lose out by joining the BJP," party sources said.
Speaking to reporters,Sumalatha said she had come to seek the blessings of Krishna, with whom her family shared a good bonding and updated him about the current situation in Mandya.
Stating that she has not met any BJP leaders, the actress said she planned to meet all senior leaders and seek their blessings.
"No one (from BJP) has officially told me that they will extend their support, but in the situation that I'm in, Iwill welcome everyone's support,"she said in response to a question on BJP extending her support as an independent candidate.
Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil Kumaraswamy is the coalition candidate from Mandya.
According to the seat sharing arrangement reached by the coalition partners, Mandya has gone to the JD(S).
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Karnataka offers extensive incentives in its proposed IT policy
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka has proposed a new Information Technology Policy for 2025–2030, offering extensive financial and non-financial incentives aimed at accelerating investments, strengthening innovation and expanding the state's tech footprint beyond Bengaluru.
The Karnataka Cabinet gave its nod to the policy 2025–2030 with an outlay of Rs 445.50 crore on Thursday after the Finance Department accorded its approval.
The policy introduces 16 incentives across five enabler categories, nine of which are entirely new, with a distinctive push to support companies setting up or expanding in emerging cities.
Alongside financial support, the government is also offering labour-law relaxations, round-the-clock operational permissions and industry-ready human capital programmes to make Karnataka a globally competitive 'AI-native' destination.
According to the policy, units located outside Bengaluru will gain access to a wide suite of benefits, including research and development and IP creation incentives, internship reimbursements, talent relocation support and recruitment assistance.
The benefits also include EPF reimbursement, faculty development support, rental assistance, certification subsidies, electricity tariff rebates, property tax reimbursement, telecom infrastructure support, and assistance for events and conferences.
Bengaluru Urban will receive a focused set of six research and development and talent-oriented incentives, while Indian Global Capability Centres (GCCs) operating in the state will be brought under the incentive net.
Incentive caps and eligibility thresholds have been raised, and the policy prioritises growth-focused investments for both new and expanding units.
Beyond incentives, the government focuses on infrastructure and innovation interventions.
A flagship proposal in the policy is the creation of Techniverse -- integrated, technology-enabled enclaves developed through a public-private partnership model inside future Global Innovation Districts.
These campuses will offer plug-and-play facilities, artificial intelligence and machine learning and cybersecurity labs, advanced testbeds, experience centres, and disaster-resistant command centres.
There will also be a Statewide Digital Hub Grid and a Global Test Bed Infrastructure Network, linking public and private research and development, and innovation facilities across Karnataka.
The government has proposed a Women Global Tech Missions Fellowship for 1,000 mid-career women technologists, an IT Talent Return Programme to absorb experienced professionals returning from abroad, and broad-based skill and faculty development reimbursements.
Shared corporate transport routes in Bengaluru and tier-two cities will be designed with Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation and other transport entities to support worker mobility.
The government said the policy is the outcome of an extensive research and consultation process involving TCS, Infosys, Wipro, IBM, HCL, Tech Mahindra, Cognizant, HP, Google, Accenture and NASSCOM, along with sector experts and stakeholder groups.
It estimates an outlay of Rs 967.12 crore over five years, comprising Rs 754.62 crore for incentives and Rs 212.50 crore for interventions such as Techniverse campuses, digital grid development, global outreach missions and talent programmes.
