Supporters plead for rethink on Lok Sabha polls; no, says Sumitra Mahajan

INDORE: A day after

Lok Sabha

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan declared that she would not contest

Lok Sabha elections

, hundreds of BJP workers reached her residence and urged her to reconsider her decision.

The eight-time MP from Indore, however, refused to do so, claiming her decision was a well-thought one. "I am firm on my decision. I don't change my statements on daily basis. I will, however, continue to serve the party and society and for that I need not be a Member of Parliament," Sumitra told mediapersons at her residence.

Around 500 party workers, some of whom had even come from Sanwer and Depalpur assembly constituencies and a large number of Marathi community members on Saturday reached Sumitra's residence at Manishpuri colony carrying flags and posters and raised slogans like 'Indore

kare

pukar, Taiji phir se ek bar.' Some of them even sang songs like 'Dadi amma, daddi amma; maan jao," to make her reconsider her decision and contest general elections.

"BJP is a value-based political organization and only its leaders can present an ideal and unique example as has been done by Tai. The organization has prepared a guideline (of not giving tickets to candidates above 75 years of age), which Tai feels is applicable to her too. She is very senior leader and party respects her," party state spokesperson Umesh Sharma said.

He said that party workers wanted Sumitra to contest Lok Sabha polls for the 9th time but she gained more respect from them by her decision.

Earlier, in the morning, Sumitra reached Rajwada to attend a programme to mark Marathi New Year Gudi Padwa in presence of senior party leaders Malini Gaur and Krishnamurari Moghe.

In the evening, she attended 39th foundation programme of the party in Indore-II constituency and recalled tough time faced by the country and many leaders of opposition during emergency in 1975-77.

The Lok Sabha Speaker, whose popularity is reflected in her victory margins in the last eight parliamentary polls, had begun campaigning intensively despite the uncertainty over the Indore ticket.

When BJP held back Indore in the first list, it raised eyebrows. But Mahajan continued with her campaign and even drew up a schedule to visit all 15 wards. Then, the second list came, and Indore was again left out.