'Ignored', Mallika Sarabhai not to contest LS polls

Image
Press Trust Of India Ahmedabad
Last Updated : Mar 11 2014 | 9:43 PM IST
Noted danseuse and Aam Aadmi Party member Mallika Sarabhai, who unsuccessfully contested against BJP patriarch L K Advani in 2009, does not want to enter the fray this time as she feels apparently ignored in the Arvind Kejriwal-led party.

"No one from AAP has ever contacted me," Mallika said.

When asked if she would contest as an Independent candidate if AAP denies her a ticket, Mallika replied in the negative. "No, I will not contest as an independent and I don't want to contest at all," she said.

Also Read

Mallika, who was earlier associated with anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare's Jan Lokpal movement, joined AAP on January 8.

Soon after joining the party she criticised AAP leader Kumar Vishwas and asked the party leadership to spell out its stand on Vishwas' comments on Narendra Modi. Mallika said she did not complain to Kejriwal about not being contacted. "I have not spoken to Arvind Kejriwal," she said.

An AAP worker, when contacted, said Mallika was kept out of Kejriwal's recent "fact finding" tour of Gujarat.

"Kejriwal just had a brief meeting with Mallika Sarabhai at a book-release event which lasted for maximum two minutes," he said on condition of anonymity. However, AAP state convener Sukhdev Patel dismissed the issue saying, "A party worker is never invited...He or she should get involved pro-actively," he said.

Mallika, however, clarified that she will continue to be with AAP and wants the party to succeed in polls. She also said she would campaign for AAP in the elections if the party wants her to. Her aide and an RTI activist Bharatsinh Jhala said, "Mallika was the first among others to file an FIR in the Delhi Commonwealth Games corruption".

"She had also led a march to Assembly seeking justice for the families of hooch tragedy victims of the state," he said, adding AAP leaders of Gujarat unit need to understand her contribution to society.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Mar 11 2014 | 8:55 PM IST

Next Story