Mumbai, July 13 (IANS) Senior Congress leader Gurudas Kamat Wednesday denied that he was applying "pressure tactics" or seeking positions by choosing to quit as a minister at the centre and said he was quitting active politics.

"It is a decision I have taken to voluntarily withdraw from active politics and would not want to be in any position either in the government or in the party, and would want to remain just an active congress worker," Kamat said in a statement here in the evening.

He also said he was not engaged in "any backroom talks" with any of the top party leaders.

He urged the media not to construe his decision to quit the union cabinet as being "sacked" or being "threatened" with action and consequently forced to resign.

"None of this is true. Neither have I been sacked nor threatened. It is my own personal request to be relieved which the prime minister has done now," Kamat said.

Kamat, who quit as Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Drinking Water & Sanitation, reiterated that his commitment to the Congress would continue as in the past 39 years as also his regard and respect for Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

In a surprise move, Kamat did not attend the swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan Tuesday evening.

Shortly thereafter, he announced his decision to quit from the union cabinet citing "personal reasons" which he did not elaborate.

Despite repeated attempts by IANS, Kamat was not available on any of his cell or office phone numbers, while his aides claimed they were "not aware" of his whereabouts.