Daijiworld Media Network - Mandya
Mandya, Apr 24: Actor-turned-politician and Congress MLA of Mandya Ambareesh on Tuesday April 24 announced his retirement from active politics.
The announcement came close on the heels of his refusal to contest the upcoming Karnataka elections on Congress ticket from Mandya.
The Congress has replaced him with Ganiga Ravikumar.
"I have decided not to contest any election as I am unwell," Ambareesh told reporters here.
"I am not saddened by it. I never feel sad. But as I am unwell, I cannot go around campaigning. The word 'rebel' is in my name, I have not sought any help from anyone. It is false news that I visited KPCC president Dr Parameshwara's house seeking ticket," he said.
He also said that three political parties invited him to join them, but he refused. "I never sought ticket to contest this election. Let whoever contest from Mandya, I cannot go for campaigning. I have been identified as 'Mandya's son'. I will never leave this place," he said.
He also made it clear that even if chief minister Siddaramaiah were to request him to campaign, he would not do it.