Veteran Congress Leader Sushil Kumar Shinde Retires From Active Politics Ahead Of 2024 Lok Sabha Polls

The news reports that Sushil Kumar Shinde, a former Chief Minister of Maharashtra and a senior Congress leader, has officially announced his retirement from active politics in preparation for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Shinde stated in an interview with AajTak that he made this decision two years ago and emphasized that it's not a recent development. He assured that he will remain available to support the party when needed.

Moreover, Sushil Kumar Shinde expressed his desire for his daughter, Praniti Shinde, to succeed him and contest elections from his constituency in Solapur. Praniti Shinde, a three-time legislator from the Solapur city central assembly seat, is being considered as a potential candidate. However, the final decision on who will contest elections ultimately rests with the All India Congress Committee (AICC), the party's high command in Delhi.

Sushil Kumar Shinde's political career includes serving as a three-term Member of Parliament (MP) from the Solapur Lok Sabha seat and a brief tenure as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from January 2003 to November 2004. After stepping down as Chief Minister, he was appointed as the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, holding the position until 2006, when he joined the Union Cabinet. He also served as the Power Minister in the Manmohan Singh government and was later assigned the Home Ministry in 2012. This appointment came after P. Chidambaram, who had taken over as Home Minister following the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, returned to the Finance Ministry.