India, July 24 -- Former union minister Smriti Irani, who is making a major comeback to TV acting with a redux of the series 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' that made her a household name as 'Tulsi', has said she has not moved away from politics. She underlined that she is 49, not old enough to retire.

This is not political retirement at all, she told India Today TV in an interview: "Who retires at 49? People aren't even able to start their (political) careers at 49. I have been an MP thrice; been a minister for five departments. There's still a long way to go."

Asked if she would contest the 2029 election from Amethi - having lost in 2024 to Congress candidate KL Sharma - she did not give a direct answer, citing party as the decision-...