Meet Amethi's new giant slayer 'Kishori Bhaiya' who defeated BJP's Smriti Irani

Congress confidant and party candidate from Amethi, Kishori Lal Sharma, defeated BJP leader and union minister Smriti Irani from Amethi Lok Sabha seat. Sharma, a long-time associate of the Gandhi family, who got 539228 votes defeated Smriti Irani by 167196 votes. Sharma, a long-time associate of the Gandhi family, was fielded from Amethi against BJP's Smriti Irani.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Smriti Irani made headlines by defeating Rahul Gandhi in the Congress stronghold of Amethi. Fast forward five years, and the constituency has witnessed another dramatic shift with Congressman Kishori Lal Sharma emerging as the new giant killer. Sharma, a longtime associate of the Gandhi family, orchestrated one of the biggest upsets of the 2024 elections by defeating BJP's prominent leader and incumbent Amethi MP, Smriti Irani.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who led the Congress campaign in both Amethi and Raebareli, congratulated Sharma, expressing her confidence in his victory from the outset. She stated in a post on X, "Kishori bhaiya, I never had any doubts, I was sure from the beginning that you would win. Hearty congratulations to you and my dear brothers and sisters of Amethi!"


Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had spent approximately two weeks campaigning intensively in Rae Bareli and Amethi, supporting Sharma and her brother Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi also secured a decisive victory in Raebareli, further bolstering the Congress party's success in the region.

Who is Kishori Lal Sharma?

Kishori Lal Sharma, originally from Ludhiana in Punjab, has been associated with the Congress party for over four decades. He first entered the political scene in Amethi in 1983 alongside Rajiv Gandhi. After Rajiv Gandhi's tragic death in 1991, Sharma's relationship with the Gandhi family deepened, and he became a pivotal figure in managing the Amethi and Raebareli constituencies, especially in the absence of the Gandhis.

Read More: Rahul Gandhi to Contest Lok Sabha Election From Rae Bareli

Sharma's Role in Amethi and Raebareli
Sharma's responsibilities expanded as he took charge of managing Sonia Gandhi's campaigns and affairs in Amethi and Raebareli.

After Rajiv Gandhi's death in 1991, Kishori Lal Sharma continued his work for the Congress party in Amethi. During the 1990s, when the Gandhi family decided to stay away from electoral politics, Sharma actively campaigned for other Congress candidates.

Kishori Lal Sharma played a pivotal role in Sonia Gandhi's initial electoral success in 1999, which marked her entry into Parliament from Amethi.

Following Sonia Gandhi's decision to vacate the Amethi seat and shift her focus to Rae Bareli, Kishori Lal Sharma also moved to Rae Bareli to continue his work alongside her.

In 2004, Rahul Gandhi was elected to the Lok Sabha from Amethi, and thereafter, Kishori Lal Sharma expanded his responsibilities to manage the party's affairs in both Amethi and Rae Bareli.

Additionally, Kishori Lal Sharma has been actively involved in the Congress party's activities in Bihar and Punjab, showcasing his extensive experience and dedication to the party's cause beyond just the Amethi and Rae Bareli constituencies.

Congress's Traditional Seats
Amethi and Raebareli have been traditional strongholds of the Gandhi family. Rahul Gandhi represented Amethi in the Lok Sabha from 2004 to 2019, until he was defeated by Smriti Irani in the last general elections. Sonia Gandhi, on the other hand, represented Raebareli from 2004 to 2024, when she vacated the seat to move to the Rajya Sabha.