Patna, March 23: Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Shahnawaz Hussain would not be contesting in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2019. The announcement was made by shortly after the NDA released its list of candidates from the parliamentary constituencies of Bihar. Shahnawaz, a two-time MP from the constituency of Bhagalpur, was not named in the list.

Taking to Twitter, the former lawmaker said he stands with the BJP high command, and would continue to work for the victory of the party in the general elections. He, however, mentioned that "his seat" has been taken over by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) -- which has fielded Ajay Kumar Mandal from the constituency.

"I will not be contesting from Bhagalpur this time. As part of NDA alliance in Bihar, Nitish Kumar's JDU has taken my seat along with seats of 6 sitting MPs of BJP," he said.

Here's What Shahnawaz Hussain Tweeted:

"I can never forget the love & affection showered on me by the people of Bhagalpur. I have always stood by the people of Bhagalpur & will continue to do so, always," he said.

Reiterating that he has no dissent with the BJP top brass, Shahnawaz said he continues to "enjoy the faith and blessings" of party's national president Amit Shah.

Notably, Shahnawaz had lost the Bhagalpur constituency in 2014 -- at the peak of the Narendra Modi wave. The seat was wrested from him by Shailesh Kumar Mandal of the RJD.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 23, 2019 05:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).