Shekhawat says no to LS polls citing ill health

Former Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, who had created a flutter in BJP by saying he might contest coming Lok Sabha polls, said he would not be in fray due to ill health.

"Chunav nahin ladoonga. Mera swasthya theek nahin hai (I will not contest poll. My health is not good)", Shekhawat told reporters at his residence.

Shekhawat said he had earlier said if his health permits he will contest the polls but it now appears to be difficult with continous health problems.

Shekhawat's earlier declaration of his intention to fight the polls was construed in political circles as a challenge to the leadership of BJP's prime ministerial candidate LK Advani.