Paranjpe announces retirement from 'election' politics

Thane, July 28 (UNI) City Shiv Sena MP Prakash Paranjpe, today announced his retirement from ''election'' politics.

He made this declaration at his 60th birthday in the presence of senior Sena leaders here. Mr Paranjpe said ''I will henceforth, not contest any election, where citizens elect their representatives to any House.'' In keeping with the view of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray that elected representatives should retire on their own after attaining the age of 60 and make room for the next generation, he said ''With today's announcement I am setting an example for other Sena leaders.

But I am not sure they will follow suit.'' He categorically stated that retiring from election politics did not mean he was retiring either from politics or social life.

''I have served the citizens of Thane since the last four decades in the capacity of a corporator, leader of the House and got elected to Parliament four times,'' he said.

He said he would gladly accept any responsibility given to him by the Sena Supremo but would desist from contesting elections.

Mr Paranjpe's tenure in Lok Sabha ends in 2009.

He was felicitated at the hands of District Shiv Sena Chief Eknath Shinde. Among those present on the occasion were Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council Vasant Dawkhare and MLC, Konkan Graduate Constituency Sanjay Kelkar.

UNI