Lok Sabha Election 2024: Massive Upset In Amethi As KL Sharma Defeats Smriti Irani

In what could be described as the biggest upset in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, Union Minister Smriti Irani has lost the contest to Congress's KL Sharma. Irani, the incumbent MP from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh lost with a margin of over 1,65,000 votes in one of the most high-profile seats in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

Irani couldn't repeat 2019

Irani who shocked the country by defeating Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in his family bastion of Amethi in 2019 could not repeat the magic in 2024.

Also read: Did You Know Smriti Irani Charged This Much As 'Tulsi' Before Joining Politics

Many including political analysts and BJP leaders were expecting a re-run of Rahul vs Irani in 2024, but the Congress leader chose to fight the Lok Sabha polls from his sitting seat in Kerala's Wayanad and Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh.

PTI

Who is Kishori Lal Sharma

Instead, Kishori Lal Sharma, a close associate and loyalist of the Gandhi family, who is originally from Punjab's Ludhiana was tasked to take the seat back.

Irani had mocked Sharma as a ¡°proxy candidate¡± and claimed that the Congress conceded defeat from the constituency even before a vote was cast.

Sharma on Tuesday said that he would like to thank the people of the constituency and the Gandhi family.

"I would like to thank the people of Amethi and the Gandhi family," he said.

¡°Kishori bhaiya, I never had any doubts, I was sure from the beginning that you will win. Hearty congratulations to you and my dear brothers and sisters of Amethi!¡± Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra wrote on X

"I express my gratitude to all the BJP party workers and supporters, those who have worked in the service of the constituency and the party with utmost dedication and fidelity...Today, I am grateful to PM Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath that their governments have completed the pending works of 30 years in just 5 years. I congratulate those who win. I will continue to be in the service of the people of Amethi..." Irani said, while conceding defeat.

ANI

Smriti Irani's political career

Irani first made her name in the television industry before entering politics. The 48-year-old joined the BJP in 2003 and contested her first elections unsuccessfully against Kapil Sibal from the Chandni Chowk constituency in Delhi in 2004.

Also read: Ekta Kapoor Rubbishes Smriti Irani's Claims About Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Casting

Irani made her Parliamentary debut in 2011 as a Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat.

PTI

In 2014, she had contested unsuccessfully against Rahul Gandhi from Amethi. Irani has been a member of the Modi cabinet since 2014 and initially held the portfolio of Human Resource Development. She is currently the Union minister for women and child development and textiles.

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