Won't contest next Lok Sabha elections but not retiring from politics: Sushma Swaraj

The Union minister, who was in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday, made an announcement of not contesting the 2019 national election citing health issues.

After Indira Gandhi, Swaraj is the second woman External Affairs Minister of the country. (Image: AFP)

New Delhi: As soon as the reports of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj not contesting the next Lok Sabha elections started making headlines, many speculated that she is retiring from politics forever. However, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader has refuted to such rumours and made it clear for everyone that she is just not contesting the next Lok Sabha election due to health issues but not retiring from politics. “You are right, Swapan. I am not retiring from politics. It is just that I am not contesting the next Lok Sabha election due to my health issues,” Swaraj tweeted in a reply to a Twitter user Swapan Verma. The Union minister, who was in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday, made an announcement of not contesting the 2019 national election citing health issues. “It is the party which decides, but I have made up my mind not to contest the next (Lok Sabha) elections,” she said. “Doctors have advised me that I should avoid exposure to dust. Because of this, I am unable to take part even in election rallies," the nine-time parliamentarian said adding that “Due to health reasons, I cannot participate in outdoor public programmes. I have also told my party leadership, that in view of health reasons, I have to avoid such exposure.”

Thanks for your kind words, Shashi. I wish we both continue in our respective positions. https://t.co/k76S6lzXyc

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) November 20, 2018

The 66-year-old leader, who is serving her fourth term in the House, has long been her party's most prominent woman face. Swaraj had undergone a kidney transplant in 2016. After Indira Gandhi, Swaraj is the second woman External Affairs Minister of the country. As soon as the veteran BJP leader made the announcement public, her husband Swaraj Kaushal hailed her decision and said that even Milkha Singh stopped running after a point. “Madam (Sushma Swaraj) - Thank you very much for your decision not to contest any more elections. I remember there came a time when even Milkha Singh stopped running,” Swaraj Kaushal said in a series of tweets. Swaraj has a strong fan-base across the country for her spell-binding confidence while speaking in the parliament or even at renowned international podiums including the United Nations.