Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), February 14: Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Uma Bharti on Tuesday announced that she will not be contesting election for next three years, citing health issues. However, Bharti, who clarified that she was not retiring from the politics, revealed that she would be actively campaigning for the party.

"I won't be contesting election for next three years. I'll be with the BJP and campaign for election. But if I contest the election, I'll put my health in jeopardy, I have a problem in my knees," she said. She added that BJP chief Amit Shah agreed to her decision and asked her to continue as Union Minister till 2019.