Senior Assam leader Himanta Biswa Sarma won't contest Lok Sabha elections; BJP chief Amit Shah explains why

BJP announced its first list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections 2019, which included the names of 184 seats from 20 states across the country. From PM Modi (Varanasi) to Smriti Irani (Amethi), candidates for crucial seats have been announced in the first list. 

While BJP's first list included names of some new entrants into the party, senior party leader from Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma won’t be contesting the coming Lok Sabha polls.

The announcement, of the senior leader from Assam not contesting elections, was made by BJP chief Amit Shah on Twitter on Thursday as the party declared its first list of candidates for the 2019 polls.

Taking to Twitter Amit Shah wrote: "Keeping in mind the responsibility of NEDA (North-East Democratic Alliance) chairman and development of the entire north-east region, the central leadership has urged him to focus on his current responsibilities and contribute to making the party stronger in Assam and northeast." 

READ: BJP'S FIRST LIST OUT: BJP Releases First List Of 182 Candidates For 2019 Lok Sabha Elections. Here It Is

"I hope that Assam BJP and the entire northeast will accept this decision of the party. I am confident that this decision will take Assam and the entire northeast towards the direction of development," he later said.

The BJP chief further added that Sarma's candidature was recommended by the election committee of the party's Assam unit and workers unanimously for the Lok Sabha election, which the leader has accepted. 

Besides being the Finance Minister for Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma also heads the NEDA, a coalition that was formed in 2016.

READ: BJP Announces First Candidates List For Lok Sabha Polls: Here's Where The Top Candidates Including PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah Will Contest From