Ahmedabad: Former Gujarat Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Anantiben Patel has conveyed her wish to party that she doesn’t want to contest the assembly election this year.

Anandiben has formally conveyed this to party in a letter which has been made public.

Anandiben is sitting MLA from Ghatlodia assembly constituency in Ahmedabad. Though personally she had not sought ticket to contest against from Ghatlodia seat which is considered one of safest seats for BJP, large number of party workers and her supporters from Ghatlodia had made representation before the party observers to give her ticket to contest again from Ghatlodia in upcoming assembly polls.

Anandiben was Chief Minister of Gujarat for little over two-year period in present term of government. She resigned from the post just before she turned 75. As per a decision taken by party in 2014, none party person can become or stay as Chief Minister or Minister after the age of 75.

Anandiben in her letter said: ‘When I stepped down from the post of Chief Minister I had mentioned the policy of BJP regarding 75-year age bar. In connection to same policy of party, I don’t want to contest year 2017 assembly polls. I request you to give chance to some local person from Ghatlodia assembly constituency who is active party worker to contest. Party workers who work for many years would naturally wish to get elected in corporation, panchayats or to become MLA or MP. Whatever responsibility is assigned to me in upcoming election, I would give justice to it with all my efforts. I will continue to work for party till the end of my life.’

DeshGujarat