Dehradun: Anguished over being neglected by a party he served like a “loyal soldier”, Congress veteran N D Tiwari today said he would not contest the Lok Sabha polls putting at rest speculation that the octogenarian could stage a political comeback.
In a statement addressed to the people of Uttarakhand here, Tiwari, who recently undertook a 10-day tour of his home constituency Nainital, said he had decided in full conciousness not to contest the Lok Sabha polls.
Ever since Tiwari was denied a party ticket to contest from Nainital by the Congress, which has reposed faith in its sitting MP K C Singh Baba, speculation was rife that he could enter the poll arena as an Independent.
“Turning down the request of the people has always been difficult for me because I always place aspirations of the people on a higher pedestal than myself.
“However, even if I enter the fray honouring your sentiments I think I will not be able to give you all that you expect from me. Hence, I have decided not to contest,” said the grand old man of Indian politics.
Tiwari also said he felt cheated after the kind of treatment he was given by a “party he served for decades like a loyal soldier”.
The former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, who spends more time now a days in Lucknow, expressed his gratefulness to Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav for taking care of him at a time when he seemed to have been written off by many.
However, he appealed to people of Uttarakhand not to get disheartened and vote enthusiastically and conscientiously for a dedicated candidate who is energetic and makes himself available to resolve their problems.
