Smriti Irani: When BJP's Giant Killer Denied High-Profile Contest In Amethi

Ending speculations on a much-anticipated fight between senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Smriti Irani, Congress has fielded Kishori Lal Sharma, a non-Gandhi candidate in Amethi. However, the BJP has retained Smriti Irani’s candidacy in the constituency. The youngest minister in the second Modi cabinet, this election marked Smriti Irani’s third contest from Amethi.

Smriti Irani was celebrated as a “giant killer” with her victory against Rahul Gandhi in the 2019 elections. In the elections, she wrested Amethi, a Congress stronghold, from the Gandhi scion by a margin of 55,120 votes. Her victory is remarkable because she made a strong comeback after losing to Rahul Gandhi in 2014 by 1 lakh votes. But in the 2024 elections, along with family loyalist Kishori Lal Sharma, Smriti Irani was denied the narrative of a high-profile contest.

Even though Rahul Gandhi is not in the electoral battleground, Congress has pulled off a strong fight. Priyanka Gandhi, who oversaw the election campaigns in Amethi and Rae Bareli, has helmed the affair, which included actively attending dozens of election meetings in the constituency as well as conducting meetings of booth level party workers. She is contesting the polls, stressing her humble background against the political lineage of the Gandhi brother-sister duo.

Former TV actress, Smriti Irani’s first entry into parliament was in 2011 as a Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat, and in 2019, she became Lok Sabha MP. In the first and second Modi cabinet, she served in the Ministry, representing portfolios including Women and Child Development, Minority Affairs, Human Resource Development, Textiles, and Information and Broadcasting. She has also headed the BJP Mahila Morcha from 2010 to 2013.

Smriti Irani has been caught up in controversy many times. From allegations of misrepresenting her educational qualifications to comments on menstrual leave, controversies were her constant companion.

In Amethi, the BJP sought votes listing developmental works under the Yogi government in the State and the Modi government in the Centre. Besides, they are criticising Rahul Gandhi for “abandoning” the constituency after his loss to Smriti Irani.

Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and former Congress presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi made their electoral debuts in Amethi. However, despite being their bastion, Congress vote share has declined since 2009. When Rahul Gandhi gathered over 71 percent of the votes in 2014 and 2019, it was reduced to 46.71 percent and 43.84 percent, respectively.

Amethi Lok Sabha comprises five legislative assembly segments, including Tiloi, Salon, Jagdishpur (SC), Gauriganj, and Amethi. Amethi has 25 percent SC voters and 21 percent Muslims. Though Muslims appear to be supporting Congress, there are high chances that SC votes are likely split between Congress, the BJP, and the BSP. A decisive factor will be the OBC vote bank, comprising 23 percent.