Ilmi says she has no connect with Rae Bareli

Ilmi had tweeted that she was not contesting from Rae Bareli

AAP leader Shazia Ilmi today defended her decision not to contest against Congress President Sonia Gandhi from Rae Bareli, saying she had no connect with people from the constituency.

Speaking to reporters, 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 Ilmi taking on 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.

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

"I am not upset over Khetan getting ticket. He is a friend and I will campaign for him. I would have preferred any seat from Delhi as I know the party volunteers here and I have a connect with them," Ilmi said.

The AAP leader had yesterday tweeted, "I am not contesting from Rae Bareli. I never agreed to nor do I now ... I've been denying this for the last two months."

AAP leader Kumar Vishwas, who is contesting from Amethi against Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi also said that Ilmi was free to decide from where she wants to contest.

"Party gave me ticket from Amethi and even I was willing to contest from this seat. And we are winning from Amethi," Vishwas said.

Interestingly, yesterday party's National Convener Arvind Kejriwal had said that with him taking on Modi, many relationships were getting realigned.

"V interesting how forces r realigning since i directly attacked Modi. Many relationships getting redefined. But truth shall win," he had tweeted.