Mohan Babu, who completed 30 years in his film career Tuesday, announced he would launch his own political party.

The star, who is making another foray into politics, has bitter memories of his past political career about a decade ago.

He had joined the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) last time.

He said he had learnt a lot then. "I learnt that even a friend can ditch you in politics. This time I have to be cautious," he told newsmen, in an obvious reference to TDP president and former chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Naidu had expelled Mohan Babu from the party in 1998 when he raised the banner of revolt for being denied another term as member of the Rajya Sabha. He had then even campaigned for the BJP but stayed away from active politics.

Mohan Babu, who considers TDP founder N.T. Rama Rao as his mentor, had become Rajya Sabha member in April 1995 a few years after joining the party. He later alleged that Naidu, son-in-law of Rama Rao, had misled him and other party leaders in backstabbing the TDP founder.

Mohan Babu said his political party would not oppose the Congress party or Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, whom he described as a close friend. "The new political party will fight against corruption and we will involve the youth in a big way," he said.

The star is the president of the Movie Artists' Association (MAA) and runs some social service organizations, including the Sree Vidyaniketan Group, which provide education to the poor.

Mohan Babu, who has acted in 504 films, has played different roles ranging from hero to villain.

He got his first break as an actor in 1975 with "Swargam Narakam" produced by Dasari Narayana Rao. His greatest hits include "Assembly Rowdy", "Kondaveeti Simham", "Major Chandrakanth" and "Peda Rayudu". He has also produced 44 films.

Mohan Babu's sons, Vishnu and Manoj, have recently started making waves on the screen.