I will not contest LS elections henceforth: Pawar

Baramati (Maharashtra), Mar 28: NCP President Sharad Pawar said he would not contest the Lok Sabha elections henceforth but will continue in national politics by opting for Rajya Sabha.

Talking to reporters, Mr Pawar said he has been in Parliament for the past 40 years and has enjoyed the support of the people. ''But now it is time to make way for the younger generation,'' he said. To a query whether that meant that he would be fielding his daughter, Supriya Sule for the Lok Sabha sear, Mr Pawar said it depends on the Party's decision.

To another question about NCP parting ways with the Congress in Meghalaya, Mr Pawar claimed that it was the Congress that had rejected NCP's offer to join hands to form government. But he would not oppose the two parties from coming together for the Lok Sabha polls.

To a question relating to state politics, about the defeat of the Congress candidate, Sudhakar Gangane in the Legislative Council on Wednesday, Mr Pawar supported Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh saying that it may be the work of some congressman to embarrass the Chief Minister.

''When I was the Chief Minister, a similar situation had arisen when an official Congress candidate was defeated and the party high command was told that I had lost control in the state,'' he said.

Gangane, a Deshmukh supporter was one of the three Congress candidates contesting nine Legislative Council seats.

UNI