Actor Ambareesh opts out of contest in Karnataka assembly polls

After keeping the ruling Congress on tenterhooks for several days, film star-turned-politician M H Ambareesh today said he would not contest the May 12 assembly election, citing health reasons.

"I cannot, I cannot do justice to my responsibilities...I have done my duty all these years...as I'm getting aged, my strength and interest have become weak," Ambareesh told reporters here.

The Congress announced Ambareesh's candidature from Mandya seat in the first list of candidates on April 15, but he had not filed his nomination and remained incommunicado.

He conveyed his decision not to contest to the party leaders through his associate just hours before the deadline for filing of nominations ends today, party sources said.

Following Ambareeh's decision not to contest the polls, the Congress has issued its B-form (required to be filed by a political party mentioning name of its approved candidate) to P Ravikumar Ganiga for the constituency.

Popularly known as the "rebel star", Ambareesh is a Vokkaliga leader and wields considerable clout in the Mandya region, where the community has a large presence.

Noting he had undergone treatment four years ago in Singapore, he said, "It will be difficult. People would have kept faith on us...I will not be able to do things. When I know I can't it is good to remain silent."
He said, "Siddaramaiah had removed me (from the cabinet). If I was not capable then, will I be made ministeragain? They won't. I will have to sit as an MLA because the peopleof Mandya will obviously vote and send me to assembly, becauseof their love towards me."