(Image source from: mumbailive.com)

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief and Fomer Union Minister Sharad Pawar has decided not to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2019.

After meeting senior leaders of the party in Pune on Monday, the Senior politician said he would not be contesting the polls, and instead be paving way for the "next generation".

"I thought that already two members of my family are contesting this time and hence I felt this is right time to take decision to not contest since I already have contested 14 times in the past," said Pawar

The National Congress Party chief gave signals that Parth, son of his nephew and senior party leader Ajit Pawar, may contest Lok Sabha elections from Maval constituency in Pune district.

"Many people are asking (me) to field Parth from Maval," the former Union minister said.

On being asked if the fear of possible defeat made him rethink of contesting from Madha, Pawar said, "I have successfully faced 14 elections. Do you think a 15th will deter me?"

Even in 2012, the veteran politician said that he he would not contest the parliamentary polls from now on and was retiring from electoral politics.

-Sai Kumar