Highlights

  • Congress fields KL Sharma against Smriti Irani in Amethi
  • Irani has 'home' ground advantage, head start for campaign
  • Sharma associated with local party unit for nearly 4 decades

Latest news

\'Mereko marwaoge\': Rohit Sharma's hilarious response to Pujara, Rahane 'retirement mistake' goes viral

\'Mereko marwaoge\': Rohit Sharma's hilarious response to Pujara, Rahane 'retirement mistake' goes viral

Trains movement hit in Punjab as farmers squat on tracks as part of Rail Roko protest

Trains movement hit in Punjab as farmers squat on tracks as part of Rail Roko protest

Karan Aujla delivers electrifying performance in Delhi-NCR

Karan Aujla delivers electrifying performance in Delhi-NCR

Russian oil spill contaminates 50km of Black Sea beaches

Russian oil spill contaminates 50km of Black Sea beaches

Two Monkeypox cases reported in Kerala

Two Monkeypox cases reported in Kerala

Congress twisted facts, distorted my statement on Ambedkar: Amit Shah

Congress twisted facts, distorted my statement on Ambedkar: Amit Shah

2 dead, 75 rescued after speed boat rams into ferry off Mumbai coast

2 dead, 75 rescued after speed boat rams into ferry off Mumbai coast

PM Modi to visit Kuwait on December 21-22

PM Modi to visit Kuwait on December 21-22

With Rahul Gandhi out of the race, Amethi a walkover for Smriti Irani?

Sharma has been associated with Congress' Amethi unit for nearly four decades, but is pitted against Irani, who has been running a full-scale campaign in the constituency for over a month.

With Rahul Gandhi out of the race, Amethi a walkover for Smriti Irani?

Battleground Amethi. Once a bastion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, now virtually abandoned by Congress' first family. Sitting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Smriti Irani, now, has a 'home' ground advantage.

The Lok Sabha constituency covers the entire Amethi district of Uttar Pradesh.

A number of Gandhi family members — Sanjay, Rajiv, Sonia and Rahul — have been elected to the Parliament from this heartland seat. Rahul Gandhi himself represented the constituency for three straight terms from 2004, only to lose — by a close margin of 55,000 votes — to Irani in 2019.

For the first time since 1999, Congress has fielded a non-Gandhi from Amethi, party loyalist Kishori Lal Sharma.

KL Sharma is supposed to be an outsider, who hails from Ludhiana, but has been instrumental to the party's local unit for almost four decades.

He is said to have moved to Amethi in 1987, as a close aide of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, at a time when he represented the seat. Reports suggest he played a crucial role in helping Sonia get elected from Amethi in 1999.

While continuing to manage party affairs in the district during Rahul's three terms, Sharma is said to have concentrated on Raebareli as Sonia’s manager in recent years.

Will Sharma be able to capitalise on his on-ground presence and familiarity with the voters disgruntled with inflation and unemployment? Reports suggest Priyanka Gandhi may lead the campaign to make up for Rahul's absence from the district since his defeat in 2019. But the Congress has a lot of ground to cover.

They're up against Irani, a union minister, who has literally set up home base in Amethi.

She kicked off her reelection bid last month with the gruh pravesh of her new house in the district. Now, Irani is not just the candidate, but also a voter from the seat.

The campaign team has plans for Irani to cover the entire constituency twice before Amethi goes to polls in phase 5 (May 20) of the Parliamentary elections. The BJP's political machinery has been at work on ground for over a month, and has left no stone unturned.

Irani was quick to taunt Rahul for running 'scared' and fielding a 'proxy' from the seat. "Gandhi family not contesting from Amethi in itself is an indication that Congress has accepted defeat even before elections," she said.

Will the narrative that the Gandhis are scared of a rematch and have abandoned ship ensure a walkover for Irani? Or will the Gandhi loyalist manage to put up a fight, and wrest the erstwhile fortress back for Congress?

The results will be declared after all seven phases of the Lok Sabha elections on June 4.

ADVERTISEMENT

Up Next

With Rahul Gandhi out of the race, Amethi a walkover for Smriti Irani?

With Rahul Gandhi out of the race, Amethi a walkover for Smriti Irani?

Was this Shashi Tharoor's last election? Congress leader reveals

Was this Shashi Tharoor's last election? Congress leader reveals

What lies ahead for AIADMK after Lok Sabha debacle?

What lies ahead for AIADMK after Lok Sabha debacle?

Meet GenZ candidates set to become India’s youngest MPs

Meet GenZ candidates set to become India’s youngest MPs

Odisha's chief ministerial race: five BJP stalwarts in contention

Odisha's chief ministerial race: five BJP stalwarts in contention

Modi's swearing-in ceremony, India to invite top leaders of neighbouring countries: report

Modi's swearing-in ceremony, India to invite top leaders of neighbouring countries: report

ADVERTISEMENT

editorji-whatsApp

More videos

Naidu and Kumar seek key cabinet posts in Modi's next term: report

Naidu and Kumar seek key cabinet posts in Modi's next term: report

What next for jailed Amritpal Singh, Engineer Rashid who have now become lawmakers?

What next for jailed Amritpal Singh, Engineer Rashid who have now become lawmakers?

Narendra Modi elected NDA leader, to be next PM

Narendra Modi elected NDA leader, to be next PM

Mallikarjun Kharge invites parties with 'shared values' to join INDIA bloc

Mallikarjun Kharge invites parties with 'shared values' to join INDIA bloc

INDIA bloc leaders hold meet at Mallikarjun Kharge residence

INDIA bloc leaders hold meet at Mallikarjun Kharge residence

President Murmu dissolves 17th Lok Sabha

President Murmu dissolves 17th Lok Sabha

Will top BJP allies stay in NDA or leave? Modi 3.0 hangs in the balance

Will top BJP allies stay in NDA or leave? Modi 3.0 hangs in the balance

NDA meet at PM Modi residence, discussion on forming govt

NDA meet at PM Modi residence, discussion on forming govt

KL Sharma wins Amethi, how Congress planned Rahul revenge

KL Sharma wins Amethi, how Congress planned Rahul revenge

Union Cabinet recommends dissolution of 17th Lok Sabha

Union Cabinet recommends dissolution of 17th Lok Sabha

Narendra Modi expected to take oath as PM on June 8: report

Narendra Modi expected to take oath as PM on June 8: report

Lok Sabha election results: Tejashwi Yadav pulled crowds in Bihar, but failed to turn them into votes

Lok Sabha election results: Tejashwi Yadav pulled crowds in Bihar, but failed to turn them into votes

JDU will give letter of support to NDA, PM Modi: KC Tyagi

JDU will give letter of support to NDA, PM Modi: KC Tyagi

INDIA bloc and NDA leaders in huddle after June 4 Lok Sabha result

INDIA bloc and NDA leaders in huddle after June 4 Lok Sabha result

Chandrababu Naidu breaks suspense over defection to INDIA bloc

Chandrababu Naidu breaks suspense over defection to INDIA bloc

Nitish Kumar, Chandrababu Naidu emerge as kingmakers as BJP short of majority

Nitish Kumar, Chandrababu Naidu emerge as kingmakers as BJP short of majority

BJP falls short of majority, Nitish Kumar to attend NDA meet in Delhi

BJP falls short of majority, Nitish Kumar to attend NDA meet in Delhi

Cycle rolls over BJP's Purvanchal fortress, comparison with 2019 result

Cycle rolls over BJP's Purvanchal fortress, comparison with 2019 result

Jailed Kashmiri leader beats Omar Abdullah, Sajad Lone to win Baramulla seat

Jailed Kashmiri leader beats Omar Abdullah, Sajad Lone to win Baramulla seat

PM Modi thanks Chandrababu Naidu, Nitish Kumar in victory speech | Lok Sabha election results

PM Modi thanks Chandrababu Naidu, Nitish Kumar in victory speech | Lok Sabha election results

For first time in 10 years, Congress opens account in Gujarat

For first time in 10 years, Congress opens account in Gujarat

How Rahul Gandhi set the Lok Sabha campaign narrative, and BJP followed

How Rahul Gandhi set the Lok Sabha campaign narrative, and BJP followed

Setback for BJP as Faizabad picks Samajwadi candidate Awadhesh Prasad

Setback for BJP as Faizabad picks Samajwadi candidate Awadhesh Prasad

BJP's Tamil Nadu star Annamalai's bleak ballot debut

BJP's Tamil Nadu star Annamalai's bleak ballot debut

Uttar Pradesh result establishes Akhilesh at centre stage, end of road for Mayawati

Uttar Pradesh result establishes Akhilesh at centre stage, end of road for Mayawati

When Modi loses, Adani stocks fall: Rahul Gandhi as BJP falls short of majority

When Modi loses, Adani stocks fall: Rahul Gandhi as BJP falls short of majority

Smriti Irani concedes defeat, thanks PM Modi, Yogi for letting her serve Amethi

Smriti Irani concedes defeat, thanks PM Modi, Yogi for letting her serve Amethi

Nation rejected politics of Modi, Shah: Rahul Gandhi in press conference

Nation rejected politics of Modi, Shah: Rahul Gandhi in press conference

London postgrad Iqra Hasan beats BJP in once communally charged Kairana

London postgrad Iqra Hasan beats BJP in once communally charged Kairana

Shyam Rangeela mimics PM Modi, 'calls' Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu in hilarious video

Shyam Rangeela mimics PM Modi, 'calls' Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu in hilarious video

'Real' Shiv Sena, NCP outperformed by Sharad, Uddhav in Maharashtra

'Real' Shiv Sena, NCP outperformed by Sharad, Uddhav in Maharashtra

BJP's Rajeev Chandrashekhar concedes defeat to Shashi Tharoor | Thiruvananthapuram LS seat

BJP's Rajeev Chandrashekhar concedes defeat to Shashi Tharoor | Thiruvananthapuram LS seat

NOTA gets record 2.18 lakh votes in Indore where Congress candidate withdrew

NOTA gets record 2.18 lakh votes in Indore where Congress candidate withdrew

Sharad Pawar denies talks with Nitish Kumar | Lok Sabha election results

Sharad Pawar denies talks with Nitish Kumar | Lok Sabha election results

Odisha assembly elections: BJP likely to dethrone Naveen Patnaik

Odisha assembly elections: BJP likely to dethrone Naveen Patnaik

Lok Sabha elections: INDIA bloc leading in 44 seats, BJP-led NDA in 35

Lok Sabha elections: INDIA bloc leading in 44 seats, BJP-led NDA in 35

Congress' Amethi pick KL Sharma reacts to potential win over BJP's Smriti Irani

Congress' Amethi pick KL Sharma reacts to potential win over BJP's Smriti Irani

Mamata Banerjee stays strong in her turf, outperforms BJP in West Bengal

Mamata Banerjee stays strong in her turf, outperforms BJP in West Bengal

BJP short of majority as per latest trends, NDA likely to cross 272

BJP short of majority as per latest trends, NDA likely to cross 272

BJP going to form govt for third time, says Kangana Ranaut

BJP going to form govt for third time, says Kangana Ranaut

Lok Sabha election results: Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh leads in Punjab

Lok Sabha election results: Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh leads in Punjab

Smriti Irani stares at defeat as KL Sharma takes massive lead in Amethi

Smriti Irani stares at defeat as KL Sharma takes massive lead in Amethi

BJP workers imitate shaving man's head to mock Somnath Bharti

BJP workers imitate shaving man's head to mock Somnath Bharti

'Not happy about Hassan result': JDS leader Kumaraswamy

'Not happy about Hassan result': JDS leader Kumaraswamy

Lok Sabha results LIVE: BJP set to lose heavily in Uttar Pradesh as SP-Congress leads in 42 seats 

Lok Sabha results LIVE: BJP set to lose heavily in Uttar Pradesh as SP-Congress leads in 42 seats 

BJP on verge of creating history in Kerala, Suresh Gopi poised to win from Thrissur

BJP on verge of creating history in Kerala, Suresh Gopi poised to win from Thrissur

Lok Sabha election 2024 results: counting of votes across 543 constituencies underway

Lok Sabha election 2024 results: counting of votes across 543 constituencies underway

Celebrations begin at TMC office in Kolkata | Watch

Celebrations begin at TMC office in Kolkata | Watch

Sanjay Raut bats for Rahul Gandhi as PM, says Congress may cross 150

Sanjay Raut bats for Rahul Gandhi as PM, says Congress may cross 150

Andhra Pradesh assembly polls result: Naidu's TDP well on its way to dethrone YSRCP

Andhra Pradesh assembly polls result: Naidu's TDP well on its way to dethrone YSRCP

'This is just trailer': Congress' Jairam Ramesh takes sly dig at BJP

'This is just trailer': Congress' Jairam Ramesh takes sly dig at BJP

BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut offer prayers on election result day

BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut offer prayers on election result day

Counting of votes for Andhra, Odisha assembly elections begins

Counting of votes for Andhra, Odisha assembly elections begins

These are early trends, won't celebrate prematurely: Supriya Shrinate

These are early trends, won't celebrate prematurely: Supriya Shrinate

We will comfortably form government: Congress candidate Vikramaditya Singh

We will comfortably form government: Congress candidate Vikramaditya Singh

Hoping exit poll proves right for J&K: NC leader Omar Abdullah

Hoping exit poll proves right for J&K: NC leader Omar Abdullah

Will work for all, whether they voted for me or not: Shashi Tharoor

Will work for all, whether they voted for me or not: Shashi Tharoor

Exit polls 2024: Congress likely to maintain lead in Punjab, no gain for AAP

Exit polls 2024: Congress likely to maintain lead in Punjab, no gain for AAP

Today is last day of dictatorship: AAP leader Gopal Rai

Today is last day of dictatorship: AAP leader Gopal Rai

Ram Rajya will continue: BJP Gorakhpur candidate Ravi Kishan

Ram Rajya will continue: BJP Gorakhpur candidate Ravi Kishan

'Teesri baar Modi sarkaar': BJP's Bansuri Swaraj confident of win

'Teesri baar Modi sarkaar': BJP's Bansuri Swaraj confident of win

'Modi Ka Pariwar' in hearts of all Indians: K Madhavi Latha

'Modi Ka Pariwar' in hearts of all Indians: K Madhavi Latha

5 injured in crude bomb blast in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas

5 injured in crude bomb blast in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas

EC 'outrightly' rejects Jairam Ramesh's request for extra time to back claims

EC 'outrightly' rejects Jairam Ramesh's request for extra time to back claims

'Cannot spread a rumour..': CEC responds to Congress' Jairam Ramesh's allegations

'Cannot spread a rumour..': CEC responds to Congress' Jairam Ramesh's allegations

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar reacts to 'Laapata gentlemen' memes | Watch

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar reacts to 'Laapata gentlemen' memes | Watch

BJP plans mega event to mark 2024 Lok Sabha election victory: report

BJP plans mega event to mark 2024 Lok Sabha election victory: report

'Just wait and see': Sonia Gandhi on INDIA bloc's chances of winning 2024 Lok Sabha election

'Just wait and see': Sonia Gandhi on INDIA bloc's chances of winning 2024 Lok Sabha election

In rare move, EC to hold presser day before counting of votes

In rare move, EC to hold presser day before counting of votes

Kejriwal lists 'theories' behind exit poll: 'bid to prevent mutiny in BJP'

Kejriwal lists 'theories' behind exit poll: 'bid to prevent mutiny in BJP'

Count postal ballots before declaring EVM results: INDIA bloc to EC

Count postal ballots before declaring EVM results: INDIA bloc to EC

Sandeshkhali sees post-poll violence, Guv writes to Mamata

Sandeshkhali sees post-poll violence, Guv writes to Mamata

Arvind Kejriwal returns to Tihar Jail as interim bail ends

Arvind Kejriwal returns to Tihar Jail as interim bail ends

SKM sweeps assembly elections in Sikkim, wins 31 of 32 seats

SKM sweeps assembly elections in Sikkim, wins 31 of 32 seats

BJP wins Arunachal Pradesh assembly elections for third straight time

BJP wins Arunachal Pradesh assembly elections for third straight time

Watch: Rahul Gandhi slams exit polls, predicts these many seats for INDIA bloc

Watch: Rahul Gandhi slams exit polls, predicts these many seats for INDIA bloc

'Will shave off my head if...': AAP's Somnath Bharti's claim on exit polls predicting NDA win

'Will shave off my head if...': AAP's Somnath Bharti's claim on exit polls predicting NDA win

Sikkim-Arunachal Pradesh assembly polls: counting for votes begin amid heavy security

Sikkim-Arunachal Pradesh assembly polls: counting for votes begin amid heavy security

Lok Sabha elections 2024 exit polls: poll of polls predict big victory for Modi-led NDA

Lok Sabha elections 2024 exit polls: poll of polls predict big victory for Modi-led NDA

Pawan Khera calls exit poll 'source of entertainment', slams PM Modi for his tweet

Pawan Khera calls exit poll 'source of entertainment', slams PM Modi for his tweet

'Delusional politics': Hardeep Singh Puri slams Congress' 295 seats claim

'Delusional politics': Hardeep Singh Puri slams Congress' 295 seats claim

'Sarkari exit poll': Supriya Shrinate slams exit poll surveys predicting Modi sweep

'Sarkari exit poll': Supriya Shrinate slams exit poll surveys predicting Modi sweep

INDIA bloc will win at least 295 seats, Kharge asserts after opposition meet

INDIA bloc will win at least 295 seats, Kharge asserts after opposition meet

PM Modi ends his 45-hour long meditation, visits Tamil poet's statue

PM Modi ends his 45-hour long meditation, visits Tamil poet's statue

INDIA bloc meet underway to discuss strategy for counting day | Lok Sabha elections

INDIA bloc meet underway to discuss strategy for counting day | Lok Sabha elections

BJP leader sends ambulance for Kejriwal, says CM creating drama over health

BJP leader sends ambulance for Kejriwal, says CM creating drama over health

Lok Sabha polls final phase: voter turnout at 40.09% till 1 pm

Lok Sabha polls final phase: voter turnout at 40.09% till 1 pm

Pawan Khera responds to Amit Shah's 'denial mode' dig at party for skipping exit poll debates

Pawan Khera responds to Amit Shah's 'denial mode' dig at party for skipping exit poll debates

Sporadic incidents of violence mar final phase of voting in Bengal

Sporadic incidents of violence mar final phase of voting in Bengal

Watch: election underway at world's highest polling station- Tashigang

Watch: election underway at world's highest polling station- Tashigang

Seventh phase of voting: EVMs, VVPAT looted in West Bengal, thrown into pond

Seventh phase of voting: EVMs, VVPAT looted in West Bengal, thrown into pond

Editorji Technologies Pvt. Ltd. © 2022 All Rights Reserved.