BJP's Ramesh Awasthi Clinches Narrow Victory Over Congress' Alok Mishra In Kanpur

BJP candidate Ramesh Awasthi clinched the victory at the politically strategic Kanpur constituency, where the parties’ heavyweights used to contest. Ramesh Awasthi secured a total of 4,43,055 votes against Alok Mishra of Congress who managed to accumulate 4,22,087. Notably, the BJP candidate had only 20,968 margin against the Congress leader. Alok Mishra gave tough challenge in Kanpur.

Awasthi is a journalist and editor, and his journey from a local organiser to a Lok Sabha contestant was remarkable. BJP wanted to make use of his reputation and deep connection with media and public sphere to garner support. The top brass of BJP has expressed their immense support for his candidacy. BJP valued his societal influence, and this has been a field that BJP intended to strengthen its support base.

Congress candidate Alok Mishra is an educationist. BSP had fielded Kuldeep Bhadauriya from Kanpur.

Kanpur is an industrial city. It is an important constituency for both BJP and Congress. Sriprakash Jaiswal, who served as a member of parliament for Congress and former union minister, was elected from Knapur in1999,2004 and 2009. BJP heavyweight, Murali Manohar Joshi was elected from Kanpur before.

In 2014, Murali Manohar Joshi of BJP defeated Sriprakash Jaiswal by garnering 474172 votes, 56.85% vote share. In 2019, Satyadev Pachauri of BJP won with a heavy margin of 155934, defeating Shriprakash Jaiswal.

(This story is part of Timeline internship project)