"I have decided not to contest as there is no party left for me on whose behalf I should contest," Gujral told India Abroad News Service.

Gujral said that he had deliberately kept a low profile for the last few weeks as he did not wish to get involved in the internal quarrels in the Janata Dal which had led to yet another split in the party that had given the country three Prime Ministers in the last decade.

Asked whether he had communicated his decision to his party, Gujral shot back "Which party?" He said that there was no Janata Dal left as it had fallen apart. The Shiromani Akali decision to field its own candidate for the Jalandhar Parliamentary constituency must have also come as a shock to the former Prime Minister.

On the issue of quitting Parliamentary politics, Gujral replied in the affirmative. He said he had decided not to side with any of the factions of the Janata Dal.

Gujral appears to be an untouchable to Congress too, for the party is not keen on accommodating him from Jullundur in the Lok Sabha elections.Punjab Pradesh Congress president Amrinder Singh had earlier hinted that the Congress might have its own candidate for the seat. In any case, a final decision would be taken by the party's working committee, he added.

--India Abroad News Service