From correspondents in Uttar Pradesh, India, 12:01 AM IST

Former vice-president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat said Friday that the time has come for all political parties to sit together and find a permanent solution to the controversial reservation issue.

'Cutting across the party lines, the government of different states should collectively come forward to sort out the issue,' Shekhawat told reporters here.

Shekhawat, a former chief minister of Rajasthan, refused to comment on the Gujjar reservation issue. He only said, 'Either the government or Gujjar leaders can tell you about it.'

The former vice-president said he no longer wanted to contest elections. 'I am now 75 years old and do not want to contest elections.'

(Staff Writer, © IANS)