Ahmedabad: VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) international general secretary Praveen Togadia on November 14 categorically denied "any VHP leader" contesting the forthcoming Gujarat Assembly elections.

"VHP is a non-political organisation and none of our office bearers in Gujarat will contest the ensuing polls," Togadia stated at a press conference in Ahmedabad.

Togadia's assertion came in the wake of reports that several VHP leaders in Ahmedabad are demanding allotment of seats for the December 12 hustings following an apparent "communal polarisation" that has taken place after the Godhra train carnage on February 27 and the three month long riots it triggered across the state.

"From the very beginning it has been VHP's policy not to contest any election from anywhere. And any office bearer has to resign if he wants to contest polls," he added.

When asked, if there was any possibility of a VHP member resigning to contest December 12 polls, Togadia said, "I do not see any such possibility".

PTI