Bhubaneswar, Feb. 11 -- Senior Congress leader Suresh 'Sura' Routray on Wednesday clarified that he will not contest the 2029 elections, reaffirming his decision to step away from electoral politics after announcing his retirement. Earlier, he had hinted at returning to electoral politics.

Addressing the media, Routray said that, having declared his retirement, there was no question of his returning to the electoral fray. However, he asserted that the Congress candidate for the Jatni Assembly constituency in the next election would be selected with his consent.

The veteran leader also reflected on the party's performance in Jatni in the last election. He claimed that Congress did not genuinely lose the constituency but suggested that ce...