Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan (Sonu Mehta/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)Lok Sabha speaker and eight time Member of Parliament Sumitra Mahajan has announced that she won’t be contesting the upcoming general elections, Press Trust of India has reported.
Mahajan has won the Indore Lok Sabha seat for eight consecutive elections since 1989. The BJP was allegedly undecided over fielding her again from Indore as she would breach the 75 year age limit imposed by the BJP and Narendra Modi led government. Mahajan turns 76 next week.
“There were speculations and so I decided to end them and free the party to make its choice. I will not contest Lok Sabha elections”, Mahajan was quoted as saying.
As per a communication sent by Mahajan, she noted that the BJP hasn’t yet announced its candidate from Indore and questioned why is there such a state of uncertainty. She concurred that the party may thus be hesitating to take a call.
She added that earlier she had left the decision with the party following a discussion despite which no decision was being taken. Hence she announced that she won’t be contesting the polls to help the party make a free choice.
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