Amar Singh says he will retire from politics after elections

Locked in a bitter tussle with party colleague Azam Khan, SP leader Amar Singh has said he will take retirement from active politics after the the Lok Sabha elections on health grounds.

"My kidneys have been affected. I have just returned from hospital because the party chief ordered me to. I want to give more time to my wife and my family. Therefore after the last day of polling (on May 13), I will retire from politics," Singh said addressing a rally at Garh Mukteshwar.

The 53-year-old SP leader was admitted to a hospital in Uttarkhand while campaigning there on Saturday and was discharged yesterday after being treated for dehydration.
       
Singh said he was perturbed by the Azam Khan episode and now wanted to "stay" at home and "lead a tension-free life".
       
His statement came days after he virtually threatened to quit SP if its chief Mulayam Singh Yadav does not rein in Azam Khan, who has launched a tirade against Singh and party candidate from Rampur Jaya Prada.