I want to become CM of Karnataka, says actor-cum-politician Ambareesh

Mandya MLA M H Ambareesh, who was dropped from the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led cabinet of ministers a couple of years ago over inefficiency, now has expressed his desire to become the chief minister of Karnataka.

Speaking to media persons in Bengaluru on Saturday, the actor-turned-politician revealed that he had been nursing a chief ministerial dream for the last 15 years. 

"I have been a chief minister candidate for 15 years and I will not say no if the opportunity comes my way. But it's good not to have expectations, because you get hurt when they get dashed," Ambareesh said.

The former minister said there was no question of him contesting from any other constituency than his home turf Mandya. "The people of Mandya helped me win by 42,000 votes. Can I run away? If I do, I'll be called a coward," he said.

Ambareesh welcomed the Supreme Court verdict on the sharing of the Cauvery river waters. "It is after many years there's a verdict that is in our favour," he said.

"The verdict has given Karnataka some breathing space and farmers in our region are happy to some extent."

Ambareesh said he and his actor-wife Sumalatha would offer 'bagina' to the Cauvery at the KRS dam on Monday.

On Superstar Rajinikanth calling the verdict "very disappointing," Ambareesh said: "I'm friends with everybody. Linking of rivers is a good thing and (Rajinikanth) also said the same thing."