Dikshit hints at returning to active politics

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Sep 04 2014 | 9:10 PM IST
Sheila Dikshit, who had resigned as Kerala Governor, today dropped enough hints of returning to active politics and said her future role in the party will be decided by the Congress leadership.
Dikshit, a three-time Chief Minister of Delhi, said she will abide by any decision the Congress high-command takes about her future in the party as efforts are underway to revitalise it following the severe drubbing in the Lok Sabha polls.
"It is the prerogative of the Congress High Command to decide about my future role in the party," Dikshit told PTI here immediately after returning from Thiruvananthapuram.
Asked whether she would be interested in leading Congress in Delhi ahead of possible assembly polls, 76-year-old Dikshit indicated her willingness for such a role.
"I am back in Delhi. I am a permanent resident of Delhi. I will not comment further," said Dikshit, who had led Congress to spectacular victories in assembly polls in Delhi in 1998, 2003 and 2009.
Congress under her leadership had suffered a severe drubbing in the assembly polls in Delhi in December last year, winning a paltry eight seats in the 70-member House.
Dikshit, who was the lone face of the Congress during the campaign except for a few fleeting appearances of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, herself faced the ignominy of suffering a defeat by over 25,000 votes at the hands of Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi constituency.
Congress was handed a humiliating defeat in the Lok Sabha polls as well as all its seven MPs, including two Union ministers, were relegated to third positions in their constituencies.
Dikshit was appointed Governor of Kerala on March 4, just before the code of conduct for Lok Sabha polls came into force. She had resigned from the gubernatorial position on August 25 following indication to quit the post by the NDA government.
"I enjoyed being in Kerala. It is a beautiful state. It was a happy stay," Dikshit said.
Former Chief Justice of India P Sathasivam has been appointed as new governor of Kerala.
*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: Sep 04 2014 | 9:10 PM IST

Next Story