Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Nov 13: Rebel Star Ambarish, MP and senior Congress leader, has left politics for good. He cited the unholy and undue influence of money on politics as reasons for this decision. "I am frustrated and upset. I am leaving politics," he declared on Wednesday November 12.

Ambarish said, he was fed up with the way the politics of the country is run. "Money is driving politics of the country. I will not contest the next election and will keep away from politics hereafter," he informed the reporters here.

"After losing the last assembly election from Srirangapatna, I have no right to fight the election. The defeat has delivered me a blow and I have lost face to approach the people for the votes," the former union minister and actor with a large fan following in the state, said.  Seeking to ward-ff speculations about his deciding to join the BJP, he confirmed that he will continue to be a dormant member of the Congress and will not join any other political outfit.

Ambarish was about to lose his Loksabha membership some time ago, for his prolonged absence from the Loksabha sessions, but saved his seat by furnishing medical certificate. He also worked as the union minister of state in the department of information and broadcasting for a short stint. As a measure of morally supporting the Caurvery agitation in 2007, he resigned from his Loksabha membership. His resignation was delivered to party president Sonia Gandhi. He continues to be the MP as his resignation was not considered.