I am contesting polls for future of my children and to save democracy: Priya Dutt

Congress party leader Priya Dutt on Wednesday said, she is contesting elections for the future of her children and to save the 'democracy' and the 'constitution'.

"I am fighting for the future of my children; this is the fight for saving our democracy and constitution," said Priya Dutt told ANI on Wednesday.

"All those who want that our country should move ahead as united will have to work," Hence I am in this race and I am fighting this election, " she added.

Dutt had entered electoral politics in 2005 and has been contesting from the North Central Mumbai Parliamentary constituency. She had fought three general assembly elections, the last one being in 2014.

She won the Mumbai North West seat in two elections after the death of her father, Sunil Dutt. In the 2014 election, she lost to Poonam Mahajan of the BJP.

The 52-year-old Congress leader had written to party president Rahul Gandhi in January that she doesn't want to contest the elections, asserting that her political commitments took a toll on many aspects of her life.

Dutt had said, "I will not be contesting 2019 general elections. These past years have been exciting and enlightening for me. However, I struggled to keep a balance between my personal and political life. While I did my best and managed, it took a toll on many aspects of my life."

Priya Dutt has reportedly been told by the party president Rahul Gandhi that she must contest in the forthcoming polls.