BJP candidate and Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smriti Irani has lost at Amethi in Uttar Pradesh to INC’s Kishori Lal Sharma by a clear margin of 1,67,196 votes. Irani had defeated Rahul Gandhi from the same Parliamentary Constituency in 2019 after having lost to him in 2014.

The Congress Party took its time to announce the candidate for the Amethi seat that left many guessing and speculating whether Rahul Gandhi or his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would contest the seat. On 3rd May 2024, the Party announced that it will be fielding Kishori Lal Sharma, a Gandhi family loyalist who knew the constituency front and back. The same day it was also announced that Rahul Gandhi would be contesting from neighbouring Rae Barelli, also in Uttar Pradesh and a stronghold of the Gandhi family.

Sharma’s nomination was followed by a massive road show which was attended and addressed by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who continued to campaign relentlessly for Sharma and her brother. On Tuesday, at a press conference at the Party Headquarter, Rahul Gandhi credited his sister for the impressive performance of the Congress and the INDIA bloc in Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, many were apprehensive that being a trusted aide of the Gandhis would be enough to win against Smriti Irani. However, the people of Amethi chose Sharma.

After the result was declared, Kishori Lal Sharma said that his victory was the “victory of a 40-year relationship of service, sacrifice, affection and dedication” and the victory of decades old association and trust between Amethi and the Gandhi family. He also said that it is the victory of all the dedicated and loyal officials and workers of the Congress Party.

Irani, in a message, said she was grateful to all who stood by her and congratulated her opponent.