Jaya Bachchan will not contest against Sonia

The Samajwadi Party on Friday announced that film star Jaya Bachchan would contest the Rajya Sabha elections and would not be fielded against Congress president Sonia Gandhi from Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat.

Denying media reports in this regard, party General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav said in a press conference in Lucknow that Mrs Bachchan would go to Rajya Sabha only.

Some media reports had suggested that Ms Bachchan might be the Samajwadi party candidate against Mrs Gandhi from Rae Bareli parliamentary constituency.

Complete Coverage: Sonia Gandhi Resigns

"We would certainly give a strong candidate against Mrs Gandhi in Rae Bareli but selection of candidate is yet to be made," Yadav said.

Mrs Bachchan was disqualified from the membership of the Rajya Sabha for holding the post of chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh Film Development Council,which has been identified as a post of profit.

The Samajwadi Party had already announced to send Mrs Bachchan again to RS from Uttar Pradesh.

Mrs Gandhi resigned on the same ground and subsequently announced to re-contest from Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat on Thursday.