Bengaluru: In a bid to mend fences with Mandya MLA Ambarish, who was dropped from the State Cabinet in June last, Chief Minister Siddharamaiah on Thursday visited the residence of Ambarish and reportedly had dinner with him.

The meeting, said to have been facilitated by Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George, saw the two holding talks to iron out the differences between them.

The CM’s meeting with Ambarish assumes special significance in the wake of former CM and senior leader from Mandya S.M. Krishna quitting the Congress recently to join the BJP.

During the meeting, Ambarish is said to have told the CM that he would not quit the Congress, besides assuring the CM that he would work for strengthening the party in the district.

The CM’s visit was also aimed at countering Power Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s efforts to gain control of the party by becoming KPCC President.

Meanwhile, it is also learnt that the CM’s visit to the residence of Ambarish, is also a hint that the actor-turned-politician may be re-inducted into the State Cabinet, as  Siddharamaiah wants a strong Vokkaliga leader to be with him as an alternative to Shivakumar.