Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (DC)

Bengaluru, Apr 21: Congress senior leader and actor Ambareesh has decided not to contest at any cost in the upcoming Karnataka assembly polls due on May 12.

In a statement Ambareesh said, "I will not contest in the assembly polls. I was sacked as housing minister despite good performance and now they (Congress) are forcing me to contest from Mandya."

The 'Rebel Star' with his decision not to contest has added to the woes of Congress. The former minister and the strongman of Mandya is reportedly upset with the party. He is in no mood to forget the 'insult' he had to bear after he was dropped from the ministry of Siddaramaiah in 2016. Sources said that he may be doing so with an eye on joining the JD(S).

Ambareesh is also unhappy with the party leadership over the issue of admitting JD(S) rebel MLA Cheluvarayaswamy, who has been given the party ticket to contest from Nagamangala constituency in Mandya district.

Ambareesh also felt insulted when the party inducted Cheluvarayaswamy into Congress without taking Ambareesh into confidence, it is said.

Bengaluru Development Minister K J George, met Ambareesh at the latter’s residence on Wednesday on the instructions of KPCC President G Parameshwara and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah but failed to convince him to file the nomination papers.

With this the Congress is left with Ramya as the alternative for Mandya.

Meanwhile, CM Siddaramaiah reacting on the issue, said, "We have given Ambareesh the ticket from Mandya and it is up to him whether to contest or not."

He also said that he had no information that Ambareesh had refused to accept the B-form from the party. "The B-form is given by the party president and I will not meet him," he added. He also added that he would not try convincing Ambareesh.