Shazia Ilmi refuses to contest against Congress President Sonia Gandhi

New Delhi: AAP leader Shazia Ilmi on Wednesday decided not to contest against Congress president Sonia Gandhi from Rae Bareli, saying she had no connect with people from the constituency.

Speaking to reporters, Ms Ilmi said, “I had said that I did not want to contest from Rae Bareli since I did not know anyone there and I am not connected with the local unit there. Also, I have some personal reasons. My daughter is appearing for exams.”

There was a buzz in the party that Ilmi will be fielded against Gandhi from Rae Bareli. Sources said the party was keen on Ms Ilmi taking on Mrs Gandhi, but she was not. She had expressed her desire to contest either from Farrukhabad, a seat represented by union minister Salman Khurshid, or any seat from Delhi.

Ms Ilmi said that she was not upset with the party for giving ticket to journalist Ashish Khetan from New Delhi.