Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari on Thursday said he had opt out contest in coming Lok Sabha elections from Ludhiana constituency because his health.
"I have worked in that constituency for five years and because of health I would not be able to campaign as vigorously as is required. Therefore, (I asked my party leadership) I may be permitted to stand down and somebody else may be fielded in my place. In so far as I am concerned, it has come as a huge personal disappointment," Tewari said.
Tewari had earlier been admitted in a hospital in New Delhi for a few days and Congress has nominated a grandson of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh as its candidate from Ludhiana where Tewari is the sitting MP.
While opposition parties had taken potshots at Tewari saying he was running away from the contest, the minister expressed the hope that he would be there for future elections.
"I don't think this is the last Lok Sabha elections. There will be a chance in the future," he added while speaking to a TV channel.
