In the political landscape of India shaped by dynastic legacies and the aspirations of their successors, the Lok Sabha elections of 2024 have unfolded a compelling narrative of succession and triumph. The sons of political heavyweights Ram Vilas Paswan, Mulayam Singh Yadav, and Lalu Prasad Yadav —Chirag Paswan, Akhilesh Yadav, and Tejashwi Yadav—have stepped out from the shadows of their illustrious fathers to carve their own paths.
At the heart of this electoral drama lies Uttar Pradesh, where the Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav emerged as a formidable adversary, leading the opposition bloc to a victory that defied exit polls predictions. Despite facing internal dissent and familial upheavals, the former UP chief minister has steered his party to its most impressive showing in a general election, securing 37 seats in Uttar Pradesh.
Along with Congress, another key member of the INDIA bloc, Yadav also brought down the BJP’s tally from 62 to 33 seats.
Following his defeat in the 2017 state polls, Yadav faced a rebellion led by his uncle, Shivpal Singh Yadav, prompting questions regarding his political acumen. Shivpal’s departure from the Samajwadi Party fueled further criticism. However, Akhilesh Yadav adeptly managed the crisis, ultimately facilitating his uncle’s return to the party fold ahead of the 2022 state polls.
In the 2024 national election, Akhilesh Yadav won the Kannauj Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh by a margin of 1,70,000 votes over his nearest rival and BJP MP Subrata Pathak.
According to Election Commission data, Yadav got 6,42,292 votes while Pathak polled 4,71,370 votes. BSP’s Imran Bin Zafar got 81,639 votes.
Tejashwi Yadav, propelled by the legacy of his father Lalu Prasad Yadav, led the INDIA campaign in Bihar and designed a remarkable resurgence of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
Earlier this year, he lost his post as the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar when his then boss Nitish Kumar exited the Mahagathbandhan to join his former ally BJP.
Tejashwi’s father and RJD patriarch, Lalu Prasad Yadav, currently out on bail for health reasons related to a corruption case, remained away from campaigning. It was Tejashwi’s turn to lead the party. Despite being confined to a wheelchair due to a spine injury, he led the charge for the INDIA bloc in this politically crucial state.
The final electoral tally this election — RJD securing 4 seats, Congress 3, and CPIML 2 – doesn’t entirely reflect the efforts invested by Tejashwi. However, one must consider the context of the NDA’s overwhelming victory in 2019, where they secured 39 out of 40 Bihar seats, leaving RJD with none. Against this backdrop, Tejashwi’s leadership and the subsequent electoral gains represent a remarkable turnaround.
On the other end of the spectrum is Chirag Paswan, who has emerged as a pivotal figure within the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Chirag Paswan, the son of the late Ram Vilas Paswan, led the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) to a resounding victory in all five seats it contested. Chirag faced a tumultuous period following Paswan’s passing in 2020, marked by a bitter family feud ignited by his uncle, Pashupati Kumar Paras, who laid claim to the political legacy.
Unfortunately, the BJP threw its weight behind Pashupati Paras, prompting Chirag Paswan to struggle to reclaim his political identity. Launching the Bihari First campaign for widespread public outreach, Chirag remained loyal to the NDA. His efforts bore fruit when the BJP recognised him as their best candidate to secure Paswan votes in a state where caste dynamics often dictate electoral outcomes.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Chirag gave up his stronghold in Jamui, where he was enjoying a second consecutive term, to contest from Hajipur, which was represented by his late father on eight occasions.
Paswan defeated the nearest RJD rival by over 1.70 lakh votes. Paswan polled 6.14 lakh votes, while his nearest rival Shiv Chandra Ram got 4.44 lakh votes.
With the BJP falling short of majority, Chirag Paswan is now a key ally they must keep happy.
