(Rephrasing para one and five)

Lucknow, Mar 24(UNI) The Samajwadi Party today announced film star Jaya Bachchan would contest only the Rajya Sabha elections and not be fielded against Congress president Sonia Gandhi from Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat.

Denying media reports suggesting that Ms Bachchan might be the Samajwadi party candidate against Ms Gandhi, party General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav said in a press conference here that Ms Bachchan was to be returned to the Upper House.

''We would certainly put a strong candidate against Ms Gandhi in Rae Bareli but the selection is yet to be made,'' Mr Yadav said.

Ms Bachchan was disqualified from the Rajya Sabha on the grounds of holding an office of profit as chairperson of the UP Film Development Council.

Ms Gandhi had resigned yesterday from the Lok Sabha and as Chairperson of the National Advisory Council (NAC) amid allegations by opposition parties that she held an office of profit as head of the NAC and announced her decision to contest again from Rae Bareli.

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