Dr Harsh Vardhan, a former Union Minister, concluded his three-decade political career to go back to his “roots”. He said he would carry on his work against “tobacco and substance abuse, against climate change, and teaching simple and sustainable lifestyles” in a lengthy farewell message that was posted on X, the former Twitter.
His statement coincided with the BJP fielding Praveen Khandelwal from Chandni Chowk, Vardhan’s current seat. The 195 names that were revealed in the party’s initial list did not include his name.

He declared on X, “I finally bow out to return to my roots after over thirty years of a glorious electoral career, during which I won all five assembly and two parliamentary elections that I fought with exemplary margins and held a multitude of prestigious positions in the party organization and the governments at the state and Center.”

‘I move on, I really can’t wait. I have promises to keep .. and miles to go before I sleep !! I have a dream .. and I know your blessings shall always remain with me . My ENT clinic at Krishna Nagar too awaits my return,’ he said.

He served twice as Delhi health minister and then Union health minister.

A “swayamsewak at heart,” the 69-year-old began his political career with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the BJP’s ideological mentor. He entered electoral politics “at the insistence of the then RSS leadership.”

“I shall continue to pursue my work against tobacco and substance abuse, against climate change, and teaching simple and sustainable lifestyles,” he said, reflecting on his journey.