In an official announcement to end days of speculation in Bihar political circles, LJP chief and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Sunday said he will not contest Lok Sabha polls from Hajipur. Addressing the media in Patna, Paswan said, "I will not contest Lok Sabha polls from Hajipur seat this time but will continue to work for development of Hajipur.”
The LJP is an ally of the BJP-led NDA.
After Paswan had won from Hajipur in 1977 with a margin of 4.24 lakh votes - a feat that established a Guinness World Record, the place is considered his stronghold for the past three decades.
"At present, I cannot say anything...the party will decide it," Paswan said, as he left it to his Lok Janshakti Party to decide who would contest from Hajipur.
Party leaders have however, cited Paswan's ill-health for his decision not to contest from Hajipur, though they say he is likely to become a Rajya Sabha MP.
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