Will not contest Lok Sabha polls from Hajpur: Ram Vilas Paswan

Patna, Jan 6 (IANS) It is official: LJP chief and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Sunday said he will not contest Lok Sabha polls from Hajipur, ending days of speculation in Bihar political circles.

The LJP is an ally of the BJP-led NDA.

"I will not contest Lok Sabha polls from Hajipur seat this time, but will continue to work for development of Hajipur," Paswan told media here.

Hajipur is considered Paswan's stronghold for the past three decades. He won from Hajipur in 1977 with a margin of 4.24 lakh votes - a feat that established a Guinness World Record.

Paswan has left it to his Lok Janshakti Party to decide who would contest from Hajipur. "At present, I cannot say anything...the party will decide it," he said.

Party leaders have cited Paswan's ill-health for his decision not to contest from Hajipur, though they say he is likely to become a Rajya Sabha MP.