Rebel star Ambareesh's rebellion quelled, for now

BENGALURU/BELAGAVI: On Wednesday, housing minister MH Ambareesh had threatened to resign from the cabinet for being "sidelined''. On Thursday, the rebellion by the rebel star, as Ambareesh is popularly known, subsided following some damage control measures by chief minister Siddaramaiah.
Ambareesh had dashed off a letter to the CM on Wednesday and was to meet Adichunchungiri seer before announcing his decision to quit.However, Siddaramaiah deputed trouble-shooter, cooperation minister H S Mahadev Prasad, who convinced the actor turned politician from Mandya to hold on till Monday after a meeting with the CM.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Thursday, Ambareesh said his rebellion may be minor but it was a "lesson" to party leaders in the state. "What I wrote in the letter were my views of how I have been sidelined in the political decision-making process in Mandya. It may be an internal issue for the party, but my public outcry is a lesson to the pa rty on how not to treat a Congress party worker and leader," he added.
Ambareesh's public statement came in direct conflict with Siddaramaiah's posturing that the issue was an internal party matter. In his usual abrasive style, Ambareesh said he was pained after his followers were sidelined in the Apex Bank appointments.
"I stuck to my word but Prasad and Siddaramaiah did not stick to theirs. My candidate's application was kept aside, while the CM and Prasad were pressured by another MLA from Mandya to appoint his supporter," he said. Ambareesh said the CM called him and said the issue will be sorted out and not to take any rash decision. "He has asked me not to feel disappointed. I still have faith in Siddaramaiah," he said.
Earlier, Siddaramaiah said it was a small issue. "I cannot discuss internal problems of the party in public. They are part of problems we face while running a government. My colleagues have told him to refrain from taking any drastic step," he said.
Prasad also called Ambareesh and reportedly gave him some assurances including giving him a free hand in Mandya. Party insiders said the minister's threat was apparently a fallout of the growing animosity between Ambareesh and former minister, Malavalli MLA P M Narendra Swamy. The spat reportedly surfaced over the nomination of heads to DCC and Apex Bank in Mandya.