Mandya: Rebel star Ambareesh and Congress candidate from Mandya has decided not to contest in the forthcoming elections on a Congress ticket. He is understood to have conveyed the decision to the party leaders .
Stripping him of his housing portfolio during the state cabinet reshuffle some time ago is said to be the reason behind his decision not to contest in the election. “I had done a very good job as minister for housing in the state and even received an award in recognition of my efforts. In fact, I was forced to resign. Such being the case, why am i being forced to contest after removing from the cabinet”, Ambareesh is said to have put it bluntly.
Congress party had given him the ticket despite him not submitting an application for the same this time. The party leaders are trying to meet him over the last few days to hold talks and resolve the matter. Even today, Minister K J George and leader Amaravathi Chandrashekar visited his residence but returned empty handed as Ambareesh had left his residence few minutes before their arrival.
He has been keeping a low profile and evading media to convey his views after Congress party offered him ticket. Insiders in the party feel, denial of tickets to his confidantes is the reason behind his decision to not contest and is raking an old issue as a cover up story.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah , who initially mentioned of holding talks with the beleaguered leader, later decided against the same. “Party has issued him a ticket and it is the state party president who is assigned with the job of issuing ‘B’ forms and Amabreesh should contest”, said CM, without giving out more details.
