In a recent podcast, BJP leader Smriti Irani candidly discussed her defeat in the high-profile Amethi constituency during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Despite being lauded as a giant slayer for defeating Rahul Gandhi in 2019, Irani faced a resounding loss to Gandhi family loyalist Kishori Lal Sharma in 2024. However, Irani emphasized that her connection to Amethi transcends electoral victories.
"Amethi has always been an emotive and ideological issue for me," Irani said. "Elections will come and go. I am not bothered about my loss from Amethi. My real win is that 1 lakh families are living in their own homes now, 80,000 homes are now getting electricity, and two lakh families received gas cylinders for the first time."
Irani, a former Union Minister, underscored her commitment to the constituency, noting that she has remained dedicated to its development since her first contest there. "Previously, there were allegations that the MP was never seen in Amethi, but I ensured that the constituency was never neglected. I even bought a home there," she added, in what was perceived as a veiled criticism of Rahul Gandhi, who represented Amethi for three consecutive terms before his 2019 defeat.
Reflecting on her decision to run in Amethi, Irani shared that she was asked by Rajnath Singh to contest the seat just before the 2014 elections. "On March 22, 2014, I received a call from Rajnath Singh at 11 pm that I have to go to Amethi and contest from there. I did not crib about it and took the challenge head-on," she recalled.
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Irani detailed her achievements in the constituency, citing the construction of homes for one lakh families, the building of 3.5 lakh toilets, and the connection of 4 lakh people to the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. "When I went there, I saw there were 40 villages where no roads were constructed after Independence," she said, highlighting the progress made during her tenure.
Despite her defeat by over 1.6 lakh votes?three times the margin by which she defeated Rahul Gandhi in 2019?Irani remained unfazed, focusing instead on her contributions to the region.
When asked about the speculation that she might be the BJP's chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Delhi elections, Irani sidestepped the question. "It has always been a privilege to serve the people," she said. "I have been an MP thrice, served as the head of five-six departments, and have also been the president of the BJP Mahila Morcha and the party's national secretary," she added, leaving her future political plans open to interpretation.
