New Delhi: Former Union Minister and current BJP MP Harsh Vardhan on Sunday said he was quitting politics, a day after his name did not feature in BJP’s first list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

This choice followed the BJP's release of its initial list of Lok Sabha election candidates, where his name was conspicuously absent.

He was elected as MP of Chandni Chowk in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and was re-elected in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Harsh Vardhan, a doctor by profession, served as the Union Health Minister in the government, 30 May 2019 – 7 July 2021, at a time when Covid-19 pandemic hit the country.

He was also the Chairman of the WHO Executive Board from 22 May 2020 – 2 June 2021. Earlier, he also held the Science and Technology and Earth Sciences portfolios in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led NDA government.

The absence of his name was glaring given his prominent role in the past.

In a comprehensive statement announcing his decision, he stated his accomplishments throughout his "illustrious electoral career spanning over thirty years" and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the party members for their support.

"After over thirty years of a glorious electoral career, during which I won all the five assembly and two parliamentary elections that I fought with exemplary margins, and held a multitude of prestigious positions in the party organisation and the governments at the state and centre, I finally bow out to return to my roots," Harsh Vardhan, the former Union Health Minister said.

The 69-year-old leader said he would get back to the medical profession.