Modi 2.0: Prominent faces of the 58-member ministerial team

Arjun Munda and Smriti Irani take oath as Union Minister in PM swearing-in ceremony.

Arjun Munda and Smriti Irani take oath as Union Minister

<p>Smriti Irani is a giant slayer, who hardened her political skills as a member of the BJP and in a battle of David vs Goliath, defeated Congress president Rahul Gandhi from his family stronghold Amethi.</p>

<p>And the party rewarded Smriti Irani with a ministerial berth in the Union Council of ministers. Irani took oath as a minister at the swearing-in ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday where <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/live-updates-prime-minister-narendra-modi-swearing-in-ceremony-222770">Narendra Modi took an oath for the second innings</a> as Prime Minister.</p>

<p>From being one of the most popular faces on the small screen to taking on Rahul Gandhi in a high-profile Lok Sabha poll battle in Amethi, Smriti Irani has come a long way. She was inducted in the Narendra Modi ministry in 2014 to representing a crowning glory in her political career.</p>

<p>Having acquired fame as a TV actress in “saas-bahu" soap opera, Irani continued to under spotlight after she switched over from TV to politics and fought two tough electoral battles - against Rahul Gandhi from Amethi in 2014 and Congress heavyweight Kapil Sibal from Chandni Chowk in Delhi in 2004.</p>

<p>Irani has earlier served as national president of Bharatiya Janata Party's women's wing.</p>

<p>She was born in Delhi and had her education in New Delhi before shifting to Mumbai wher she became a household name because of her role in the TV serial Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Married to businessman Zubin Irani and having one son and a daughter, Smriti Irani lists reading as her past-time.</p>


Smriti Irani is a giant slayer, who hardened her political skills as a member of the BJP and in a battle of David vs Goliath, defeated Congress president Rahul Gandhi from his family stronghold Amethi.

Smriti Irani is a giant slayer, who hardened her political skills as a member of the BJP and in a battle of David vs Goliath, defeated Congress president Rahul Gandhi from his family stronghold Amethi. And the party rewarded Smriti Irani with a ministerial berth in the Union Council of ministers. Irani took oath as a minister at the swearing-in ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday where Narendra Modi took an oath for the second innings as Prime Minister. From being one of the most popular faces on the small screen to taking on Rahul Gandhi in a high-profile Lok Sabha poll battle in Amethi, Smriti Irani has come a long way. She was inducted in the Narendra Modi ministry in 2014 to representing a crowning glory in her political career. Having acquired fame as a TV actress in “saas-bahu" soap opera, Irani continued to under spotlight after she switched over from TV to politics and fought two tough electoral battles - against Rahul Gandhi from Amethi in 2014 and Congress heavyweight Kapil Sibal from Chandni Chowk in Delhi in 2004. Irani has earlier served as national president of Bharatiya Janata Party's women's wing. She was born in Delhi and had her education in New Delhi before shifting to Mumbai wher she became a household name because of her role in the TV serial Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Married to businessman Zubin Irani and having one son and a daughter, Smriti Irani lists reading as her past-time.

Smriti Irani: The return of giant slayer

<p>Once television's favourite bahu, BJP leader Smriti Irani has proved her mettle in politics too. She fought the 2014 Lok Sabha elections against Congress president Rahul Gandhi from the Gandhi family pocketborough Amethi and lost by a narrow margin of over a lakh vote.</p>

<p>In 2019, the fortunes reversed and she emerge victorious against Gandhi, hence earning the moniker 'giant slayer'.</p>

<p>The win was rewarded by her party with a ministerial berth. She took oath as a minister on Thursday at the Rashtrapati Bhavan&nbsp;where <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/live-updates-prime-minister-narendra-modi-swearing-in-ceremony-222770">Narendra Modi took an oath for the second inning</a>s as Prime Minister.</p>

<p>Her portfolio has not yet been decided. In the last tenure of Modi government, Irani served as Information and&nbsp;Broadcasting, Textiles and HRD minister.</p>

<p>From being one of the most popular faces on the small screen to taking on Rahul Gandhi in a high-profile Lok Sabha poll battle in Amethi, Smriti Irani has come a long way. She was inducted in the Narendra Modi ministry in 2014 too representing a crowning glory in her political career.</p>

<p>Having acquired fame as a TV actress in “saas-bahu" soap opera, Irani continued to under spotlight after she switched over from TV to politics and fought two tough electoral battles - against Rahul Gandhi from Amethi in 2014 and Congress heavyweight Kapil Sibal from Chandni Chowk in Delhi in 2004.</p>

<p>Irani has earlier served as national president of Bharatiya Janata Party's women's wing.</p>

<p>She was born in Delhi and had her education in New Delhi before shifting to Mumbai wher she became a household name because of her role in the TV serial Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Married to businessman Zubin Irani and having one son and a daughter, Smriti Irani lists reading as her past-time.</p>


Once television's favourite bahu, BJP leader Smriti Irani has proved her mettle in politics too. She fought the 2014 Lok Sabha elections against Congress president Rahul Gandhi from the Gandhi family pocketborough Amethi and lost by a narrow margin of over a lakh vote.

Once television's favourite bahu, BJP leader Smriti Irani has proved her mettle in politics too. She fought the 2014 Lok Sabha elections against Congress president Rahul Gandhi from the Gandhi family pocketborough Amethi and lost by a narrow margin of over a lakh vote. In 2019, the fortunes reversed and she emerge victorious against Gandhi, hence earning the moniker 'giant slayer'. The win was rewarded by her party with a ministerial berth. She took oath as a minister on Thursday at the Rashtrapati Bhavan where Narendra Modi took an oath for the second innings as Prime Minister. Her portfolio has not yet been decided. In the last tenure of Modi government, Irani served as Information and Broadcasting, Textiles and HRD minister. From being one of the most popular faces on the small screen to taking on Rahul Gandhi in a high-profile Lok Sabha poll battle in Amethi, Smriti Irani has come a long way. She was inducted in the Narendra Modi ministry in 2014 too representing a crowning glory in her political career. Having acquired fame as a TV actress in “saas-bahu" soap opera, Irani continued to under spotlight after she switched over from TV to politics and fought two tough electoral battles - against Rahul Gandhi from Amethi in 2014 and Congress heavyweight Kapil Sibal from Chandni Chowk in Delhi in 2004. Irani has earlier served as national president of Bharatiya Janata Party's women's wing. She was born in Delhi and had her education in New Delhi before shifting to Mumbai wher she became a household name because of her role in the TV serial Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Married to businessman Zubin Irani and having one son and a daughter, Smriti Irani lists reading as her past-time.

Smriti Irani becomes part of Team Modi 2.0, takes oath as minister

<p>As Narendra Modi <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/narendra-modi-ushers-in-second-term-as-prime-minister-222608">gets ready to take oath</a> as Prime Minister for the second time, the details of his new Council of Ministers are trickling in.</p>

<p>According to sources, senior BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Rajnath Singh have received a call from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Swaraj was the high-profile External Affairs Minister in the last government and there was speculation that she might not get a ministerial berth this time around as she did not contest elections citing health grounds.&nbsp;Singh was the Home Minister in the previous tenure of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/will-strive-to-enhance-good-governance-and-transform-lives-pm-modi-222627">Modi government</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The names of probable ministers in the new government are emerging after a meeting between Modi and BJP president Amit Shah met at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, the official residence of the PM on Thursday morning. Modi and Shah have been brainstorming to decide the contours of the Cabinet after the results were announced on May 23.</p>

<p>Nirmala Sitharaman, who was the defence minister in the last government, has received a call, said sources, and so has BJP leader Jitendra Singh.</p>

<p>Giant slayer and textiles minister Smriti Irani has also received a call and is expected to return to the Modi Cabinet. She wrested Amethi from Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha polls and is likely to get a plum post. Irani has earlier served as Information &amp; Broadcasting and HRD minister.</p>

<p>BJP leader Sadananda Gowda said today that he has also received a call from BJP chief Amit Shah. "I received a call from Amit Shah. He said that I should be there at home office of PM at 5 o'clock and swearing-in ceremony at 7 o'clock. At 5 o'clock, the PM will have tea with cabinet and other ministerial colleagues and then we'll go to Rashtrapati Bhavan to take oath," he told reporters.</p>

<p>Republican Party of India (RPI) chief Ramdas Athawale and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan are among the allies who have received calls to be part of the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for today evening. The other allies to be invited to be part of swearing-in ceremony is Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who was the food processing minister during the previous tenure of the NDA government.</p>

<p>Nitin Gadkari, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Thawar Chand Gehlot, who were serving as ministers in the previous Modi government, have also received calls for today's swearing-in ceremony.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: Names of ministers in Modi's new Cabinet is out</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/reports-names-of-ministers-in-modis-new-cabinet-is-out-222701/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Apart from those mentioned above, these leaders have also got invite to be part of the <strong>swearing-in ceremony</strong>:</p>

<p>Piyush Goyal (BJP)<br />
Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP)<br />
Prakash Javadekar (BJP)<br />
Kiren Rijiju (BJP)<br />
Anupriya Patel (Apna Dal)<br />
Kishan reddy (BJP)<br />
Suresh Angadi (BJP)<br />
Arjun Ram Meghwal (BJP)<br />
Giriraj Singh (BJP)<br />
Dharmendra Pradhan (BJP)<br />
Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (BJP)<br />
Santosh Gangwar (BJP)<br />
Prahlad Joshi (BJP)<br />
Babul Supriyo (BJP)<br />
Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (BJP)<br />
Mansukh Lal Mandaviya (BJP)<br />
Sanjeev Balyan (BJP)<br />
Krishan Pal Gurjar (BJP)<br />
Rao Inderjit Singh (BJP)<br />
RCP Singh (JDU)<br />
Som Prakash (BJP)<br />
VK Singh (BJP)</p>

<p>Modi, along with his Council of Ministers, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/ahead-of-oath-taking-ceremony-pm-modi-pays-tribute-mahatma-gandhi-vajpayee-visits-national-war-memorial-222611">will take oath</a> as the 15th Prime Minister of India at 7pm in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. President Ram Nath Kovind will administer the oath of office and secrecy at the function.</p>

<p>President of Bangladesh Abdul Hamid, President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena, President of Myanmar U Win Myint, Prime Minister of Bhutan Lotay Tshering, Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli, and Thailand's Special Envoy Grisada Boonrach are in the national capital for attending Modi's swearing-in ceremony.</p>

<p>The President of Kyrgyzstan, Sooronbay Jeenbekov will also be present at the event.</p>

<p>Several overseas friends of BJP from 15 countries, including the US, Australia, Germany, and the UK, have also been invited. Modi has also invited families of CRPF personnel who lost their lives in the Pulwama attack in February.</p>


As Narendra Modi gets ready to take oath as Prime Minister for the second time, the details of his new Council of Ministers are trickling in. According to sources, senior BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Rajnath Singh have received a call from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

As Narendra Modi gets ready to take oath as Prime Minister for the second time, the details of his new Council of Ministers are trickling in. According to sources, senior BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Rajnath Singh have received a call from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Swaraj was the high-profile External Affairs Minister in the last government and there was speculation that she might not get a ministerial berth this time around as she did not contest elections citing health grounds. Singh was the Home Minister in the previous tenure of the Modi government. The names of probable ministers in the new government are emerging after a meeting between Modi and BJP president Amit Shah met at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, the official residence of the PM on Thursday morning. Modi and Shah have been brainstorming to decide the contours of the Cabinet after the results were announced on May 23. Nirmala Sitharaman, who was the defence minister in the last government, has received a call, said sources, and so has BJP leader Jitendra Singh. Giant slayer and textiles minister Smriti Irani has also received a call and is expected to return to the Modi Cabinet. She wrested Amethi from Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha polls and is likely to get a plum post. Irani has earlier served as Information & Broadcasting and HRD minister. BJP leader Sadananda Gowda said today that he has also received a call from BJP chief Amit Shah. "I received a call from Amit Shah. He said that I should be there at home office of PM at 5 o'clock and swearing-in ceremony at 7 o'clock. At 5 o'clock, the PM will have tea with cabinet and other ministerial colleagues and then we'll go to Rashtrapati Bhavan to take oath," he told reporters. Republican Party of India (RPI) chief Ramdas Athawale and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan are among the allies who have received calls to be part of the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for today evening. The other allies to be invited to be part of swearing-in ceremony is Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who was the food processing minister during the previous tenure of the NDA government. Nitin Gadkari, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Thawar Chand Gehlot, who were serving as ministers in the previous Modi government, have also received calls for today's swearing-in ceremony. Watch: Names of ministers in Modi's new Cabinet is out Apart from those mentioned above, these leaders have also got invite to be part of the swearing-in ceremony: Piyush Goyal (BJP) Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP) Prakash Javadekar (BJP) Kiren Rijiju (BJP) Anupriya Patel (Apna Dal) Kishan reddy (BJP) Suresh Angadi (BJP) Arjun Ram Meghwal (BJP) Giriraj Singh (BJP) Dharmendra Pradhan (BJP) Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (BJP) Santosh Gangwar (BJP) Prahlad Joshi (BJP) Babul Supriyo (BJP) Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (BJP) Mansukh Lal Mandaviya (BJP) Sanjeev Balyan (BJP) Krishan Pal Gurjar (BJP) Rao Inderjit Singh (BJP) RCP Singh (JDU) Som Prakash (BJP) VK Singh (BJP) Modi, along with his Council of Ministers, will take oath as the 15th Prime Minister of India at 7pm in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. President Ram Nath Kovind will administer the oath of office and secrecy at the function. President of Bangladesh Abdul Hamid, President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena, President of Myanmar U Win Myint, Prime Minister of Bhutan Lotay Tshering, Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli, and Thailand's Special Envoy Grisada Boonrach are in the national capital for attending Modi's swearing-in ceremony. The President of Kyrgyzstan, Sooronbay Jeenbekov will also be present at the event. Several overseas friends of BJP from 15 countries, including the US, Australia, Germany, and the UK, have also been invited. Modi has also invited families of CRPF personnel who lost their lives in the Pulwama attack in February.

Sushma Swaraj, Smriti Irani, Nitin Gadkari & some allies get calls as Modi gears up to take oath as PM

Smriti Irani's close aide murdered in Amethi. He was one from them who campaigned in Amethi on behalf or with Smriti. We decodes 'Political Murder'with with experts Mr. Gautam Chikermane & Mr. Makarand R. Paranjape. Watch this video for complete details.

India Watch: Discusses Political Murders with some experts

In Amethi Police has arrested 3 suspects in Murder case of Surendra Singh who was Smriti Irani's close aide. Watch this video for more details.

India Watch: Irani Vows Justice For Surendra Singh

<p>Uttar Pradesh police on Monday has arrested three suspects in Surendra Singh's murder case, DGP OP Singh said.</p>

<p>"We have arrested three suspects in the Amethi murder case, while two suspects are still absconding," Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) O P Singh told reporters.</p>

<p>"As many as seven persons were taken into custody and they were interrogated. Among those, there were three who were linked with the incident," Singh said.</p>

<p>"As of now, two accused persons are still absconding and we are tracking them," the DGP added.</p>

<p>Surendra Singh, a former village head and close aide of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/smriti-irani-says-she-will-knock-superme-courts-door-to-get-death-sentence-to-surendra-singhs-killers-221794">Union Minister Smriti Irani</a> was allegedly shot dead by two unidentified men in Amethi district on Saturday.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/surendra-singh-killed-for-supporting-smriti-irani-claims-wife-221815">Rukmani Singh, the wife of Surendra Singh</a> alleged that her husband was killed only because he helped Irani win the recently held polls.</p>

<p><strong>Video:&nbsp;Smriti Irani's aide Surendra Singh shot dead in Amethi</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/smriti-iranis-aide-surendra-singh-shot-dead-in-amethi-221746/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Smriti Irani had earlier said that she will even go to Supreme Court to get death sentence to the killers of Surendra Singh.</p>

<p>Singh was rushed to a hospital in state capital Lucknow in a serious condition where he succumbed to his injuries during the treatment, the police said.&nbsp;</p>


Uttar Pradesh police on Monday has arrested three suspects in Surendra Singh's murder case, DGP OP Singh said. "We have arrested three suspects in the Amethi murder case, while two suspects are still absconding," Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) O P Singh told reporters.

Uttar Pradesh police on Monday has arrested three suspects in Surendra Singh's murder case, DGP OP Singh said. "We have arrested three suspects in the Amethi murder case, while two suspects are still absconding," Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) O P Singh told reporters. "As many as seven persons were taken into custody and they were interrogated. Among those, there were three who were linked with the incident," Singh said. "As of now, two accused persons are still absconding and we are tracking them," the DGP added. Surendra Singh, a former village head and close aide of Union Minister Smriti Irani was allegedly shot dead by two unidentified men in Amethi district on Saturday. Rukmani Singh, the wife of Surendra Singh alleged that her husband was killed only because he helped Irani win the recently held polls. Video: Smriti Irani's aide Surendra Singh shot dead in Amethi Smriti Irani had earlier said that she will even go to Supreme Court to get death sentence to the killers of Surendra Singh. Singh was rushed to a hospital in state capital Lucknow in a serious condition where he succumbed to his injuries during the treatment, the police said.

UP police arrest three suspects in Surendra Singh's murder case: DGP OP Singh

<p>Rukmani Singh, the wife of <a href="http://cms.wionews.com/india-news/former-village-head-and-smriti-iranis-close-aide-shot-dead-in-amethi-221655">Surendra Singh</a>, a close associate of Amethi`s newly-elected <a href="http://cms.wionews.com/india-news/smriti-irani-says-she-will-knock-superme-courts-door-to-get-death-sentence-to-surendra-singhs-killers-221794">MP Smriti Irani</a>, on Sunday alleged that her husband was killed only because he helped Irani win the recently held polls.</p>

<p>Speaking to ANI, she said, "He did not have any rivalry with anyone. It was only after he supported and helped Irani win that he was killed. He was killed due to politics."</p>

<p>Terming Irani her `didi` (older sister), Rukmani said the BJP leader assured support to the bereaved family.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Didi came to us and said she will take care of my children as her own. She also said that the whole BJP Samaj is with us," Rukmani said.</p>

<p>Surendra`s daughter Pratima Singh added, "Irani ji has given us hope that she is with our family and will look after our security. Two policemen have been sent by them for our safety."</p>

<p>Earlier, Surendra`s son had alleged that Congress supporters were involved in the killing of his father.</p>

<p>"My father was a close aide of Smriti Irani and campaigned 24x7 ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. After she was elected as an MP, a victory procession was carried out. I believe some Congress supporters didn`t like it. We have suspicions on some people," the deceased`s son had said.</p>

<p>Surendra Singh was shot by unidentified assailants when he was sleeping in the verandah of his house in Baraulia village of Amethi at around 3 am on Sunday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He was rushed to a trauma centre in Lucknow where he breathed his last.</p>


Rukmani Singh, the wife of Surendra Singh, a close associate of Amethi`s newly-elected MP Smriti Irani, on Sunday alleged that her husband was killed only because he helped Irani win the recently held polls.

Rukmani Singh, the wife of Surendra Singh, a close associate of Amethi`s newly-elected MP Smriti Irani, on Sunday alleged that her husband was killed only because he helped Irani win the recently held polls. Speaking to ANI, she said, "He did not have any rivalry with anyone. It was only after he supported and helped Irani win that he was killed. He was killed due to politics." Terming Irani her `didi` (older sister), Rukmani said the BJP leader assured support to the bereaved family. "Didi came to us and said she will take care of my children as her own. She also said that the whole BJP Samaj is with us," Rukmani said. Surendra`s daughter Pratima Singh added, "Irani ji has given us hope that she is with our family and will look after our security. Two policemen have been sent by them for our safety." Earlier, Surendra`s son had alleged that Congress supporters were involved in the killing of his father. "My father was a close aide of Smriti Irani and campaigned 24x7 ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. After she was elected as an MP, a victory procession was carried out. I believe some Congress supporters didn`t like it. We have suspicions on some people," the deceased`s son had said. Surendra Singh was shot by unidentified assailants when he was sleeping in the verandah of his house in Baraulia village of Amethi at around 3 am on Sunday. He was rushed to a trauma centre in Lucknow where he breathed his last.

Surendra Singh killed for supporting Smriti Irani, claims wife

<p>A former village head and close aide of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/had-ensured-that-the-mp-from-amethi-would-be-chosen-from-our-party-smriti-irani-to-wion-221599">Union Minister Smriti Irani</a> was allegedly shot dead by two unidentified men in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/north-remembers-smriti-iranis-dig-at-rahul-gandhi-after-amethi-win-221254">Uttar Pradesh's Amethi district</a> on Saturday, news agency PTI reported. Suspects in connection with the murder have been detained.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The police are looking into all aspects of the killing, including political rivalry. "Since he had been a village chief, it seems to be a fallout of an old rivalry. We are not ruling out a political rivalry and are looking into all aspects of the case," the police said.</p>

<p>Uttar Pradesh DGP, OP Singh said that an intensive investigation is underway.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We've found vital clues. 7 people detained for questioning. We're confident of solving the case in the next 12 hours. 3 companies of PAC are deputed," Singh stated.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">UP DGP, OP Singh on murder of Surendra Singh,ex-village head of Barauli, Amethi: Intensive investigation underway. We've found vital clues.7 people detained for questioning.We're confident of solving the case in the next 12hrs.3 companies of PAC are deputed,no law&amp;order situation <a href="https://t.co/9ttCr7Pa13">pic.twitter.com/9ttCr7Pa13</a></p>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1132546436619546624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Surendra Singh, 50, was the former head of Baraulia village in Uttar Pradesh. According to Additional Superintendent of Police Daya Ram, Singh was shot dead&nbsp;yesterday at his residence.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/my-fight-with-rahul-gandhi-not-personal-was-only-trying-to-secure-win-for-bjp-says-smriti-irani-221545/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Singh was rushed to a hospital in state capital Lucknow in a serious condition where he succumbed to his injuries during the treatment, the police said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Amethi MP and BJP leader Smriti Irani has left for Barauli to meet with the bereaved family.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delhi: Amethi MP &amp; BJP leader Smriti Irani leaves for her constituency, she will meet the family of Surendra Singh, ex-village head of Barauli, Amethi who was shot dead last night. <a href="https://t.co/NnIdRWRjvk">pic.twitter.com/NnIdRWRjvk</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1132522397154861059?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>As per reports, Singh was involved in the shoe-distribution process carried out by Irani in Amethi while campaigning for Lok Sabha polls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, Smriti Irani scripted history by defeating Congress chief Rahul Gandhi by a margin of over 50,000 votes and clinching party stronghold Amethi.&nbsp;</p>


A former village head and close aide of Union Minister Smriti Irani was allegedly shot dead by two unidentified men in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi district on Saturday, news agency PTI reported.

A former village head and close aide of Union Minister Smriti Irani was allegedly shot dead by two unidentified men in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi district on Saturday, news agency PTI reported. Suspects in connection with the murder have been detained. The police are looking into all aspects of the killing, including political rivalry. "Since he had been a village chief, it seems to be a fallout of an old rivalry. We are not ruling out a political rivalry and are looking into all aspects of the case," the police said. Uttar Pradesh DGP, OP Singh said that an intensive investigation is underway. "We've found vital clues. 7 people detained for questioning. We're confident of solving the case in the next 12 hours. 3 companies of PAC are deputed," Singh stated. UP DGP, OP Singh on murder of Surendra Singh,ex-village head of Barauli, Amethi: Intensive investigation underway. We've found vital clues.7 people detained for questioning.We're confident of solving the case in the next 12hrs.3 companies of PAC are deputed,no law&order situation pic.twitter.com/9ttCr7Pa13 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 26, 2019 × Surendra Singh, 50, was the former head of Baraulia village in Uttar Pradesh. According to Additional Superintendent of Police Daya Ram, Singh was shot dead yesterday at his residence. × Singh was rushed to a hospital in state capital Lucknow in a serious condition where he succumbed to his injuries during the treatment, the police said. Meanwhile, Amethi MP and BJP leader Smriti Irani has left for Barauli to meet with the bereaved family. Delhi: Amethi MP & BJP leader Smriti Irani leaves for her constituency, she will meet the family of Surendra Singh, ex-village head of Barauli, Amethi who was shot dead last night. pic.twitter.com/NnIdRWRjvk — ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2019 × As per reports, Singh was involved in the shoe-distribution process carried out by Irani in Amethi while campaigning for Lok Sabha polls. In the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, Smriti Irani scripted history by defeating Congress chief Rahul Gandhi by a margin of over 50,000 votes and clinching party stronghold Amethi.

Former village head and Smriti Irani's close aide shot dead in Amethi, suspects detained

<p>With the Congress party staring at a massive loss in the Lok Sabha elections, party chief Rahul Gandhi set a couple of records that are bound to be remembered in the electoral history of India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gandhi registered a landslide win from Kerala's Wayanad Parliamentary constituency by a margin of over 4 lakh votes, at the same time he lost Congress stronghold Amethi to BJP opponent and Union minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/in-a-neck-and-neck-battle-smriti-irani-defeats-rahul-gandhi-in-amethi-221025">Smriti Irani by over 50,000 votes</a>.</p>

<p>A win from Wayanad exhibits locals' expectation from the Congress as the area, although being a hub of tourism in the state, is marred by severe infrastructural lapses. Locals here have to travel for kilometres to Calicut or neighbouring cities for medical treatments.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On the other hand, losing Amethi translates into a big blow for the Congress. This could even exhibit the grand old party losing its grip in Uttar Pradesh, moreover on its traditional bastions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gandhi, however, gave a tough fight to Irani and the electoral battle for Amethi, which throughout the counting day, was seen as a neck-to-neck one.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It must be noted that the SP-BSP-RLD alliance had refrained from fielding candidates on Congress key seats in Uttar Pradesh, including Amethi and Raebareli, to ensure BJP's defeat - a strategy which hasn't quite seemed to have materialised.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gandhi on Thursday evening said that he respects people's verdict as he <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-results-2019-rahul-gandhi-concedes-defeat-asks-congress-workers-not-to-lose-hope-221026">conceded defeat in the Lok Sabha election</a>.</p>

<p>Addressing a press conference as Modi's government returned to power with a thumping majority, Rahul Gandhi said people of India decided Narendra Modi will be the Prime Minister and ''I respect their verdict''.&nbsp;</p>

<p>''I congratulate PM Modi and the BJP for their win,'' &nbsp;the Congress president said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>''Our fight is ideological, he said and added there are two ideologies - one followed by Mr Narendra Modi and the other one followed by the Congress party.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress president asked the people not to be scared as ''we are there''.</p>

<p>Congratulating BJP's Smriti Irani for her victory in Amethi, he said people of Amethi had given their mandate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the result for the Lok Sabha polls spelt a massive victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party and another term from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The party, along with its allies, maintained a comfortable lead on over 280 seats, which rose up on over 340 seats as the day progressed.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Congress accepts defeat in Lok Sabha Election</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/lok-sabha-election-2019-congress-accepts-defeat-in-lok-sabha-election-221044/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


With the Congress party staring at a massive loss in the Lok Sabha elections, party chief Rahul Gandhi set a couple of records that are bound to be remembered in the electoral history of India.

With the Congress party staring at a massive loss in the Lok Sabha elections, party chief Rahul Gandhi set a couple of records that are bound to be remembered in the electoral history of India. Gandhi registered a landslide win from Kerala's Wayanad Parliamentary constituency by a margin of over 4 lakh votes, at the same time he lost Congress stronghold Amethi to BJP opponent and Union minister Smriti Irani by over 50,000 votes. A win from Wayanad exhibits locals' expectation from the Congress as the area, although being a hub of tourism in the state, is marred by severe infrastructural lapses. Locals here have to travel for kilometres to Calicut or neighbouring cities for medical treatments. On the other hand, losing Amethi translates into a big blow for the Congress. This could even exhibit the grand old party losing its grip in Uttar Pradesh, moreover on its traditional bastions. Gandhi, however, gave a tough fight to Irani and the electoral battle for Amethi, which throughout the counting day, was seen as a neck-to-neck one. It must be noted that the SP-BSP-RLD alliance had refrained from fielding candidates on Congress key seats in Uttar Pradesh, including Amethi and Raebareli, to ensure BJP's defeat - a strategy which hasn't quite seemed to have materialised. Gandhi on Thursday evening said that he respects people's verdict as he conceded defeat in the Lok Sabha election. Addressing a press conference as Modi's government returned to power with a thumping majority, Rahul Gandhi said people of India decided Narendra Modi will be the Prime Minister and ''I respect their verdict''. ''I congratulate PM Modi and the BJP for their win,'' the Congress president said. ''Our fight is ideological, he said and added there are two ideologies - one followed by Mr Narendra Modi and the other one followed by the Congress party. The Congress president asked the people not to be scared as ''we are there''. Congratulating BJP's Smriti Irani for her victory in Amethi, he said people of Amethi had given their mandate. Meanwhile, the result for the Lok Sabha polls spelt a massive victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party and another term from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The party, along with its allies, maintained a comfortable lead on over 280 seats, which rose up on over 340 seats as the day progressed. Watch: Congress accepts defeat in Lok Sabha Election ×

In historic Lok Sabha polls, Rahul Gandhi scripts two electoral records

After a humiliating defeat in the Lok Sabha polls, top Congress leaders will deliberate on party losses at a meeting of the working committee on Saturday where party chief Rahul Gandhi is likely to offer his resignation.

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi likely to resign at CWC meeting today

<p>After her<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/in-a-neck-and-neck-battle-smriti-irani-defeats-rahul-gandhi-in-amethi-221025"> historic victory in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi</a> constituency in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, former Union Minister Smriti Irani spoke to WION's Editor in Chief Sudhir Chaudhary discussing her five-year plan that made inroads for the BJP in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/north-remembers-smriti-iranis-dig-at-rahul-gandhi-after-amethi-win-221254">Congress bastion</a>.</p>

<p><strong>WION</strong>: This was your second fight from the Amethi constituency. Did you ever think of defeating Gandhi from his bastion?</p>

<p><strong>Smriti Irani</strong>: &nbsp;Amethi has voted for development. Under Narendra Modi's guidance and Yogi Adityanath's help, we were able to perform work in the constituency. The issue of the election was development. I had said during the election campaign that the fight&nbsp;was not against Smriti Irani and Rahul Gandhi, but instead, it was people's fight for their rights, for the developments of their families. People of the country are never going to lose any election if they decide to fight for their rights.</p>

<p><strong>WION</strong>: When did you first realise that you can beat Rahul Gandhi and your situation at the ground was stronger than him?</p>

<p><strong>Smriti Irani</strong>: I was working for the past five years for BJP's victory and not for Gandhi's defeat. And this would have been possible only if&nbsp;people would give their blessings and support to BJP. It was possible only after we talked to every family. This was possible only after services from BJP's central and state government reached every single person in the constituency.</p>

<p>In the last five years, I categorically said and ensured that whosoever gets&nbsp;the ticket from BJP, but the MP from Amethi will be chosen from our&nbsp;party.<br />
Our sole aim was the victory of a BJP candidate in Amethi.</p>

<p><strong>WION</strong>: Did you ever feel that the fight in Amethi has become personal between Smriti Irani and Rahul Gandhi or Gandhi family and not between BJP and Congress? Is there any personal rivalry between you and Rahul Gandhi?</p>

<p><strong>Smriti Irani</strong>: There is no rivalry between us, rivalry exists among people with the same stature. As a party worker, I feel proud that my party has scripted&nbsp;a political and social history so that the people rose above caste and religious&nbsp;discrimination and voted for positive development.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/my-fight-with-rahul-gandhi-not-personal-was-only-trying-to-secure-win-for-bjp-says-smriti-irani-221545/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


After her historic victory in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi constituency in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, former Union Minister Smriti Irani spoke to WION's Editor in Chief Sudhir Chaudhary discussing her five-year plan that made inroads for the BJP in the Congress bastion.

After her historic victory in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi constituency in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, former Union Minister Smriti Irani spoke to WION's Editor in Chief Sudhir Chaudhary discussing her five-year plan that made inroads for the BJP in the Congress bastion. WION: This was your second fight from the Amethi constituency. Did you ever think of defeating Gandhi from his bastion? Smriti Irani: Amethi has voted for development. Under Narendra Modi's guidance and Yogi Adityanath's help, we were able to perform work in the constituency. The issue of the election was development. I had said during the election campaign that the fight was not against Smriti Irani and Rahul Gandhi, but instead, it was people's fight for their rights, for the developments of their families. People of the country are never going to lose any election if they decide to fight for their rights. WION: When did you first realise that you can beat Rahul Gandhi and your situation at the ground was stronger than him? Smriti Irani: I was working for the past five years for BJP's victory and not for Gandhi's defeat. And this would have been possible only if people would give their blessings and support to BJP. It was possible only after we talked to every family. This was possible only after services from BJP's central and state government reached every single person in the constituency. In the last five years, I categorically said and ensured that whosoever gets the ticket from BJP, but the MP from Amethi will be chosen from our party. Our sole aim was the victory of a BJP candidate in Amethi. WION: Did you ever feel that the fight in Amethi has become personal between Smriti Irani and Rahul Gandhi or Gandhi family and not between BJP and Congress? Is there any personal rivalry between you and Rahul Gandhi? Smriti Irani: There is no rivalry between us, rivalry exists among people with the same stature. As a party worker, I feel proud that my party has scripted a political and social history so that the people rose above caste and religious discrimination and voted for positive development. ×

Had ensured that MP from Amethi would be chosen from our party: Smriti Irani to WION

BJP leader Smriti Irani who emerged as the giant killer of Lok Sabha election 2019 by defeating Congress president Rahul Gandhi in his family bastion of Amethi said on Friday that her fight was not personal but she was only trying to secure a win for the party in the Lok Sabha constituency.

My fight with Rahul Gandhi not personal, was only trying to secure win for BJP, says Smriti Irani

<p>Putting an end to Amethi's decades-long-relationship with Congress, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/in-a-neck-and-neck-battle-smriti-irani-defeats-rahul-gandhi-in-amethi-221025">Smriti Irani has emerged as the star of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections</a> by giving Rahul Gandhi a run for his money in a constituency which was considered a bastion of the Gandhi family for decades.</p>

<p>Irani was leading by 468514 votes to register a win in the political hotbed of Amethi.</p>

<p>Soon after Congress President Rahul Gandhi conceded defeat and congratulated her, Irani tweeted a line out of Hindi poet Dushyant Kumar. "Kaun kehta hai aasmaan mein suraakh nahin ho sakata", she tweeted. It translates to mean "Nothing is impossible."</p>

<p>From featuring in one of the most watched soap operas in Indian history, to tirelessly campaigning through the streets of Amethi, it was a long journey for the actor-turned-politician. Needless to say, she has owned every bit of the success she has tasted.</p>

<p>The 43-year-old made a mark in the world of entertainment by playing the pivotal role in Ekta Kapoor's show 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahi Thi', one of the most watched soap operas in Indian history.</p>

<p>By the time she announced her decision to step into Indian politics and joined BJP back in 2003, her acting career had already made Smriti a household name.</p>

<p>While she was respected by many for her acting skills, Smriti as a politician had a rough time proving herself. The fact that she couldn't manage to win even a single election in her career, including losing to Kapil Sibal in Chandni Chowk in 2004 to losing Amethi to Rahul Gandhi in 2014, did not work in her favour.</p>

<p>Adding another hurdle to her already unsteady political career, Smriti also came under the scanner for provided contradictory information about her educational qualifications in the affidavits she filed for elections in 2004, 2011 and 2014.</p>

<p>During her journey as a politician, Smriti has also faced her share of sexist remarks in the world of politics dominated by male leaders. From snide comments about her former years in the show business to some extremely distastefully personal remarks, she endured it all.</p>

<p>Sanjay Nirumpam, former President of the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee, had once, during a TV debate, said to Irani, "Aap to TV pe thumke lagati thi, aaj chunavi visleshak ban gayi!" (You once danced for TV, and now you have become a psephologist?).</p>

<p>Earlier in April, Congress ally and PRP leader Jaydeep Kawade said that the size of the Smriti's bindi denotes the number of husbands she has.</p>

<p>In spite of all the hurdles, Smriti kept on moving forward. In the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections, Smriti locked horns with Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi in Amethi.</p>

<p>While she ended up losing in the constituency, BJP emerged victoriously and formed the government in the centre. Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India and Smriti was appointed as the Minister of HR Development in the cabinet.</p>

<p>However, in 2016, following the controversy about her education qualification, the HRD Ministry was taken away from Irani, and she was given the Ministry of Textiles instead.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Rahul Gandhi Loses Cong Baston Amethi</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-rahul-gandhi-loses-cong-baston-amethi-221123/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>This change in the title did not keep her from working hard. In 2017, when M Venkaiah Naidu resigned as the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Smriti was given the charge of the ministry.</p>

<p>In spite of all the drama in her life as a politician, Smriti is one of the few Indian politicians who appreciated for their witty and funny Social media updates. From sharing memes about trending issues, to giving a hilarious twist to her own life updates, Smriti's Instagram feed has posts that common people relate to.</p>

<p>As BJP started gearing up for 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Smriti's eyes were sent on Amethi. Determined to defeat Rahul this time, she tirelessly campaigned throughout the constituency urging and convincing people to vote for BJP.</p>

<p>Up until today, Amethi had always been a nightmare for a non-congress politician who dared to contest from the constituency.</p>

<p>The Gandhi family established a bond with the people of Amethi back in 1977, when Sanjay Gandhi first came to contest for the parliamentary election from here. Since then, Amethi became a bastion of the Gandhi family, a relationship that lasted for decades.</p>

<p>Amethi did not fall into Smriti's hands overnight. The victory is a result of countless rallies, road shows and speeches, during which she exhausted her lungs listing all the reasons why people of Amethi should not vote for Congress, like they do every time, and give her a chance</p>

<p>While Rahul did give her a tough competition, the voters of Amethi have made a choice and for the first time in decades, it is not Congress.</p>


Putting an end to Amethi's decades-long-relationship with Congress, Smriti Irani has emerged as the star of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections by giving Rahul Gandhi a run for his money in a constituency which was considered a bastion of the Gandhi family for decades.

Putting an end to Amethi's decades-long-relationship with Congress, Smriti Irani has emerged as the star of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections by giving Rahul Gandhi a run for his money in a constituency which was considered a bastion of the Gandhi family for decades. Irani was leading by 468514 votes to register a win in the political hotbed of Amethi. Soon after Congress President Rahul Gandhi conceded defeat and congratulated her, Irani tweeted a line out of Hindi poet Dushyant Kumar. "Kaun kehta hai aasmaan mein suraakh nahin ho sakata", she tweeted. It translates to mean "Nothing is impossible." From featuring in one of the most watched soap operas in Indian history, to tirelessly campaigning through the streets of Amethi, it was a long journey for the actor-turned-politician. Needless to say, she has owned every bit of the success she has tasted. The 43-year-old made a mark in the world of entertainment by playing the pivotal role in Ekta Kapoor's show 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahi Thi', one of the most watched soap operas in Indian history. By the time she announced her decision to step into Indian politics and joined BJP back in 2003, her acting career had already made Smriti a household name. While she was respected by many for her acting skills, Smriti as a politician had a rough time proving herself. The fact that she couldn't manage to win even a single election in her career, including losing to Kapil Sibal in Chandni Chowk in 2004 to losing Amethi to Rahul Gandhi in 2014, did not work in her favour. Adding another hurdle to her already unsteady political career, Smriti also came under the scanner for provided contradictory information about her educational qualifications in the affidavits she filed for elections in 2004, 2011 and 2014. During her journey as a politician, Smriti has also faced her share of sexist remarks in the world of politics dominated by male leaders. From snide comments about her former years in the show business to some extremely distastefully personal remarks, she endured it all. Sanjay Nirumpam, former President of the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee, had once, during a TV debate, said to Irani, "Aap to TV pe thumke lagati thi, aaj chunavi visleshak ban gayi!" (You once danced for TV, and now you have become a psephologist?). Earlier in April, Congress ally and PRP leader Jaydeep Kawade said that the size of the Smriti's bindi denotes the number of husbands she has. In spite of all the hurdles, Smriti kept on moving forward. In the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections, Smriti locked horns with Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi in Amethi. While she ended up losing in the constituency, BJP emerged victoriously and formed the government in the centre. Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India and Smriti was appointed as the Minister of HR Development in the cabinet. However, in 2016, following the controversy about her education qualification, the HRD Ministry was taken away from Irani, and she was given the Ministry of Textiles instead. Watch: Rahul Gandhi Loses Cong Baston Amethi This change in the title did not keep her from working hard. In 2017, when M Venkaiah Naidu resigned as the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Smriti was given the charge of the ministry. In spite of all the drama in her life as a politician, Smriti is one of the few Indian politicians who appreciated for their witty and funny Social media updates. From sharing memes about trending issues, to giving a hilarious twist to her own life updates, Smriti's Instagram feed has posts that common people relate to. As BJP started gearing up for 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Smriti's eyes were sent on Amethi. Determined to defeat Rahul this time, she tirelessly campaigned throughout the constituency urging and convincing people to vote for BJP. Up until today, Amethi had always been a nightmare for a non-congress politician who dared to contest from the constituency. The Gandhi family established a bond with the people of Amethi back in 1977, when Sanjay Gandhi first came to contest for the parliamentary election from here. Since then, Amethi became a bastion of the Gandhi family, a relationship that lasted for decades. Amethi did not fall into Smriti's hands overnight. The victory is a result of countless rallies, road shows and speeches, during which she exhausted her lungs listing all the reasons why people of Amethi should not vote for Congress, like they do every time, and give her a chance While Rahul did give her a tough competition, the voters of Amethi have made a choice and for the first time in decades, it is not Congress.

Nothing is impossible: 'Giant slayer' Smriti Irani topples Rahul Gandhi in Amethi

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/elections-in-india-an-inspiration-around-the-world-us-221140">Elections in India an inspiration around the world: US</a></p>

<p>Congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his re-election, the United States has said that the just-concluded elections in India, the largest democratic exercise in human history, is an inspiration for people around the world.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/nothing-is-impossible-giantslayer-smriti-irani-topples-rahul-gandhi-in-amethi-221132">Nothing is impossible: 'Giantslayer' Smriti Irani topples Rahul Gandhi in Amethi</a></p>

<p>Putting an end to Amethi's decades-long-relationship with Congress, Smriti Irani has emerged as the star of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections by giving Rahul Gandhi a run for his money in a constituency which was considered a bastion of the Gandhi family for decades.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/bjp-proves-sceptics-wrong-with-stunning-performance-in-hindi-heartland-221136">BJP proves sceptics wrong with stunning performance in Hindi heartland</a></p>

<p>The BJP repeated it superlative performance in five key Hindi-speaking states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, as the party along with its allies not only bagged or was leading in 165 out of 185 Lok Sabha seats, but also enjoyed a massive vote swing in its favour.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-announces-17-new-espionage-charges-against-wikileaks-julian-assange-221127">US announces 17 new espionage charges against Wikileaks' Julian Assange</a></p>

<p>The US Justice Department unveiled 17 new criminal charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Thursday, saying he unlawfully published the names of classified sources and conspired with and assisted ex-Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning in obtaining access to classified information.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-holds-first-gay-marriages-in-historic-day-for-asia-221142">Taiwan holds first gay marriages in historic day for Asia</a></p>

<p>Taiwan's first official same-sex weddings kicked off Friday in a landmark moment for LGBT rights in Asia as gay couples took the historic step of registering as married, the culmination of a three-decade fight for equality.</p>


Elections in India an inspiration around the world: US Congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his re-election, the United States has said that the just-concluded elections in India, the largest democratic exercise in human history, is an inspiration for people around the world.

Elections in India an inspiration around the world: US Congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his re-election, the United States has said that the just-concluded elections in India, the largest democratic exercise in human history, is an inspiration for people around the world. Nothing is impossible: 'Giantslayer' Smriti Irani topples Rahul Gandhi in Amethi Putting an end to Amethi's decades-long-relationship with Congress, Smriti Irani has emerged as the star of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections by giving Rahul Gandhi a run for his money in a constituency which was considered a bastion of the Gandhi family for decades. BJP proves sceptics wrong with stunning performance in Hindi heartland The BJP repeated it superlative performance in five key Hindi-speaking states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, as the party along with its allies not only bagged or was leading in 165 out of 185 Lok Sabha seats, but also enjoyed a massive vote swing in its favour. US announces 17 new espionage charges against Wikileaks' Julian Assange The US Justice Department unveiled 17 new criminal charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Thursday, saying he unlawfully published the names of classified sources and conspired with and assisted ex-Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning in obtaining access to classified information. Taiwan holds first gay marriages in historic day for Asia Taiwan's first official same-sex weddings kicked off Friday in a landmark moment for LGBT rights in Asia as gay couples took the historic step of registering as married, the culmination of a three-decade fight for equality.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Lok Sabha election 2019 results re-elected BJP to rule again for 5 years. The massive mandate BJP won had put the whole opposition in a great depression for sure. 354 seats out of 543 broke all records from the last election results in 2014. But have a look on some of the major loosers and winners in these polls.

Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Watch out some winners and Loosers in these polls

<p>The BJP and its ally Apna Dal(S) have won 63&nbsp;of Uttar Pradesh's 80 Lok Sabha seats, demolishing the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-results-2019-up-numbers-show-mahagathbandhan-a-failed-experiment-221047">challenge posed by the SP-BSP alliance</a>, which has managed to get 15&nbsp;seats between them.</p>

<p>The counting of votes is still underway in the state, which sends the highest number of MPs in the Lower House, and the Election Commission has declared results of 77 seats as of 6:20 AM Friday.</p>

<p>Of these, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-results-2019-modi-wave-sweeps-india-again-nda-poised-to-win-lok-sabha-elections-221034">BJP</a> has won 60 seats and its NDA ally Apna Dal (S) two. The BJP is also leading on two seats.</p>

<p>The party's most remarkable victory came in Amethi where Union minister Smriti Irani unseated Congress president Rahul Gandhi from his party's bastion.</p>

<p>The NDA tally was just 11 short of the 73, the number of seats the two parties won in the Hindi heartland state in 2014. This gap is set to come down to nine.</p>

<p>The opposition SP-BSP alliance bagged 14 seats, with nine going to Mayawati's BSP.</p>

<p>The party is also leading in one seat.</p>

<p>The Congress just managed to open its account in the state as UPA chairperson and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi won the Rae Bareli seat.</p>

<p><strong>Also read: 'There is no place for dynasty rulers, corrupt leaders in this nation' says Yogi Adityanath</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/lok-sabha-election-2019-there-is-no-place-for-dynasty-rulers-corrupt-leaders-in-this-nation-says-yogi-adityanath-220949/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The BJP and its ally Apna Dal(S) have won 63 of Uttar Pradesh's 80 Lok Sabha seats, demolishing the challenge posed by the SP-BSP alliance, which has managed to get 15 seats between them.

The BJP and its ally Apna Dal(S) have won 63 of Uttar Pradesh's 80 Lok Sabha seats, demolishing the challenge posed by the SP-BSP alliance, which has managed to get 15 seats between them. The counting of votes is still underway in the state, which sends the highest number of MPs in the Lower House, and the Election Commission has declared results of 77 seats as of 6:20 AM Friday. Of these, the BJP has won 60 seats and its NDA ally Apna Dal (S) two. The BJP is also leading on two seats. The party's most remarkable victory came in Amethi where Union minister Smriti Irani unseated Congress president Rahul Gandhi from his party's bastion. The NDA tally was just 11 short of the 73, the number of seats the two parties won in the Hindi heartland state in 2014. This gap is set to come down to nine. The opposition SP-BSP alliance bagged 14 seats, with nine going to Mayawati's BSP. The party is also leading in one seat. The Congress just managed to open its account in the state as UPA chairperson and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi won the Rae Bareli seat. Also read: 'There is no place for dynasty rulers, corrupt leaders in this nation' says Yogi Adityanath ×

In UP, BJP+ gets 63 and counting, SP-BSP struggles to touch 15

The dysnasty rule fails too from the Royal seat of Amethi. BJP's candidate Smriti Irani mangages to do so. Rahul Gandhi ain't saw that coming that turned every single vote in favour of Mrs. Irani. All those campaings of Mrs. Irani in Amethi makes people to trust her more rather choosing the 'Missing prince'.

BJP's Smriti Irani manages to let Rahul's bastions down

<p>BJP leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/nothing-is-impossible-giantslayer-smriti-irani-topples-rahul-gandhi-in-amethi-221132">Smriti Irani</a>, who defeated Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, thanked the people of her constituency in a tweet on Friday morning.</p>

<p>"It's a new morning for Amethi, a new resolve. Thank you Amethi. You placed your trust in development and helped lotus bloom. Grateful for that," Irani said in her tweet in Hindi.</p>

<p>Irani defeated the sitting Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi by a margin of 55,120 votes, uprooting the Congress president from his family bastion. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Gandhi had defeated Irani by 1,07,903 votes.</p>

<p>Irani had cultivated a strong voter base in the constituency with her numerous visits and using central development schemes in past five years which helped her inn reversal of fortune.</p>

<p>She shared a silhouette picture of a direwolf on the backdrop of the moon with a quote from popular TV series Game of Thrones "The North Remembers" on her Instagram account.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx0gNhJHc4J/" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx0gNhJHc4J/" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx0gNhJHc4J/" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx0gNhJHc4J/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">❤️</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/smritiiraniofficial/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Smriti Irani</a> (@smritiiraniofficial) on <time datetime="2019-05-23T21:36:32+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">May 23, 2019 at 2:36pm PDT</time></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

<p>Acknowledging Smriti's win in the North and adding that there is love from the South too, an Instagram user commented, "Don't worry mam there is love from south kerala too just that we need better speakers communicators and planing in kerala we tried our best but not enough follow up or action was there suresh ji kumanam ji and k surendran ji are awsome candidates who if there was proper planing and time with resources could have yielded results."</p>

<p>Soon after Gandhi conceded defeat and congratulated her on Thursday, Irani tweeted a line out of Hindi poet Dushyant Kumar. "<em>Kaun kehta hai aasmaan mein suraakh nahin ho sakata</em>", she tweeted. It translates to mean "Nothing is impossible."</p>

<p>From featuring in one of the most watched soap operas in Indian history, to tirelessly campaigning through the streets of Amethi, it was a long journey for the actor-turned-politician. Needless to say, she has owned every bit of the success she has tasted.</p>

<p>At the national level, BJP whose campaign was spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on nationalism and a strident anti-Congress plank, has won 303 seats and is leading on 15 as per the latest details updated on the website of the Election Commission.</p>


BJP leader Smriti Irani, who defeated Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, thanked the people of her constituency in a tweet on Friday morning. "It's a new morning for Amethi, a new resolve.

BJP leader Smriti Irani, who defeated Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, thanked the people of her constituency in a tweet on Friday morning. "It's a new morning for Amethi, a new resolve. Thank you Amethi. You placed your trust in development and helped lotus bloom. Grateful for that," Irani said in her tweet in Hindi. Irani defeated the sitting Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi by a margin of 55,120 votes, uprooting the Congress president from his family bastion. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Gandhi had defeated Irani by 1,07,903 votes. Irani had cultivated a strong voter base in the constituency with her numerous visits and using central development schemes in past five years which helped her inn reversal of fortune. She shared a silhouette picture of a direwolf on the backdrop of the moon with a quote from popular TV series Game of Thrones "The North Remembers" on her Instagram account. View this post on Instagram ❤️ A post shared by Smriti Irani (@smritiiraniofficial) on May 23, 2019 at 2:36pm PDT Acknowledging Smriti's win in the North and adding that there is love from the South too, an Instagram user commented, "Don't worry mam there is love from south kerala too just that we need better speakers communicators and planing in kerala we tried our best but not enough follow up or action was there suresh ji kumanam ji and k surendran ji are awsome candidates who if there was proper planing and time with resources could have yielded results." Soon after Gandhi conceded defeat and congratulated her on Thursday, Irani tweeted a line out of Hindi poet Dushyant Kumar. "Kaun kehta hai aasmaan mein suraakh nahin ho sakata", she tweeted. It translates to mean "Nothing is impossible." From featuring in one of the most watched soap operas in Indian history, to tirelessly campaigning through the streets of Amethi, it was a long journey for the actor-turned-politician. Needless to say, she has owned every bit of the success she has tasted. At the national level, BJP whose campaign was spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on nationalism and a strident anti-Congress plank, has won 303 seats and is leading on 15 as per the latest details updated on the website of the Election Commission.

'The North Remembers': Smriti Irani's dig at Rahul Gandhi after Amethi win

<p>It was the mother-of-all battle, the most-watched contest of this <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-results-2019-thank-you-india-faith-placed-in-our-alliance-is-humbling-pm-modi-221011">Lok Sabha elections</a>, which was ultimately won by the challenger.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The battleground was Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, a dusty little town widely known as the Congress bastion and stronghold of the Gandhi family. Congress president Rahul Gandhi - who won from Amethi in 2004, 2009 and 2014 - was pitted against BJP's Smriti Irani whom he had defeated in 2014. The 2014 victory margin of one lakh votes was narrow, going by the fact that Amethi is Gandhis' family bastion, but Rahul successfully defended the seat.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/congratulations-to-the-winners-but-all-losers-are-not-losers-how-opposition-reacted-to-lok-sabha-2019-election-results-220926">fortunes were reversed</a> and Irani emerged victorious though by a thin margin of 35,899 votes. But the win had its share of nervous moments in the form of seesaw battle during counting of votes. As soon as the counting began on Thursday morning, early trends showed Smriti Irani leading. But Gandhi was again in the driver’s seat as counting progressed. As times passed, Irani took the lead and eventually won the contest.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">कौन कहता है आसमां में सुराख नहीं हो सकता ...</p>
— Chowkidar Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) <a href="https://twitter.com/smritiirani/status/1131539947905851392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>What makes this battle significant is that a Gandhi had not been defeated from Amethi since 1980, barring 1998. The reversal is surely going to cast a shadow on the future of Rahul Gandhi, who is leading the Congress during its most tumultous phase.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
"We have to introspect, that is for sure. But let the complete result come and let us examine it first," Congress leader Brijesh Kalappa told WION. "We can then go to the drawing board and create a new plan of action," he added.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The voice of the people is the voice of the god. We will have to listen to it and accept the mandate, Kalappa said.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Congress's overall performance has not been up to the mark in UP. It is leading on just one seat in the state; in 2014, the party had won two.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The Congress was not part of the 'Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) of Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and had fielded its own candidates. This year's result has also raised questions on Congress's future which has suffered yet another defeat at the hands of the BJP. From winning 430 Lok Sabha seats in 1989, India's Grand Old Party was reduced to just 44 seats in 2014 elections. And this year's setback will make the things worse for it.</p>


It was the mother-of-all battle, the most-watched contest of this Lok Sabha elections, which was ultimately won by the challenger. The battleground was Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, a dusty little town widely known as the Congress bastion and stronghold of the Gandhi family.

It was the mother-of-all battle, the most-watched contest of this Lok Sabha elections, which was ultimately won by the challenger. The battleground was Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, a dusty little town widely known as the Congress bastion and stronghold of the Gandhi family. Congress president Rahul Gandhi - who won from Amethi in 2004, 2009 and 2014 - was pitted against BJP's Smriti Irani whom he had defeated in 2014. The 2014 victory margin of one lakh votes was narrow, going by the fact that Amethi is Gandhis' family bastion, but Rahul successfully defended the seat. In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the fortunes were reversed and Irani emerged victorious though by a thin margin of 35,899 votes. But the win had its share of nervous moments in the form of seesaw battle during counting of votes. As soon as the counting began on Thursday morning, early trends showed Smriti Irani leading. But Gandhi was again in the driver’s seat as counting progressed. As times passed, Irani took the lead and eventually won the contest. कौन कहता है आसमां में सुराख नहीं हो सकता ... — Chowkidar Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) May 23, 2019 × What makes this battle significant is that a Gandhi had not been defeated from Amethi since 1980, barring 1998. The reversal is surely going to cast a shadow on the future of Rahul Gandhi, who is leading the Congress during its most tumultous phase. "We have to introspect, that is for sure. But let the complete result come and let us examine it first," Congress leader Brijesh Kalappa told WION. "We can then go to the drawing board and create a new plan of action," he added. The voice of the people is the voice of the god. We will have to listen to it and accept the mandate, Kalappa said. Congress's overall performance has not been up to the mark in UP. It is leading on just one seat in the state; in 2014, the party had won two. The Congress was not part of the 'Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) of Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and had fielded its own candidates. This year's result has also raised questions on Congress's future which has suffered yet another defeat at the hands of the BJP. From winning 430 Lok Sabha seats in 1989, India's Grand Old Party was reduced to just 44 seats in 2014 elections. And this year's setback will make the things worse for it.

In neck and neck battle, Smriti Irani defeats Rahul Gandhi in Amethi

<p>Union Minister<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/smriti-irani-alleges-voters-being-forced-to-vote-for-congress-216384&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiMy6ui14jiAhXS7nMBHSRfAkIQFjAIegQIBhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw03qzuEilU0CXJuZVJMu1RV"> Smriti Irani </a>on Monday hit out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for cancelling his visit to <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/photos/lok-sabha-elections-smriti-irani-rahul-gandhi-face-off-in-fifth-phase-polls-216380&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiMy6ui14jiAhXS7nMBHSRfAkIQFjAEegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1OigluUO7MaLqWxplwLqjg">Amethi on the polling day</a>, which she said is "an insult to the people" of the constituency.</p>

<p>"Rahul Gandhi has once again cheated the people of Amethi. I did not know that Rahul Gandhi could become so egotistic that he will not appear on the polling day. At least, he should have not insulted the people of his constituency. The person who can lie on the matter of his tours should never be trusted by the people," Irani said while speaking to ANI.</p>

<p>In response to Irani`s statement, Congress MLC Deepak Singh said,&nbsp;"Smriti Irani is frustrated as she is losing her deposit in Amethi. Her allegation shows that people have given mandate in favour of Congress. People of Amethi told Rahul Gandhi to look after the country and they will look after Amethi. This is the reason Rahul Gandhi did not come to Amethi today."</p>

<p>Irani has faced Rahul in Amethi Lok Sabha seat for which the polling took place on Monday.</p>

<p>Gandhi has been winning this seat since 2004.</p>

<p>In the last Lok Sabha polls, he had defeated Irani by a margin of over one lakh votes.</p>

<p>The counting of votes will take place on May 23.</p>


Union Minister Smriti Irani on Monday hit out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for cancelling his visit to Amethi on the polling day, which she said is "an insult to the people" of the constituency.

Union Minister Smriti Irani on Monday hit out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for cancelling his visit to Amethi on the polling day, which she said is "an insult to the people" of the constituency. "Rahul Gandhi has once again cheated the people of Amethi. I did not know that Rahul Gandhi could become so egotistic that he will not appear on the polling day. At least, he should have not insulted the people of his constituency. The person who can lie on the matter of his tours should never be trusted by the people," Irani said while speaking to ANI. In response to Irani`s statement, Congress MLC Deepak Singh said, "Smriti Irani is frustrated as she is losing her deposit in Amethi. Her allegation shows that people have given mandate in favour of Congress. People of Amethi told Rahul Gandhi to look after the country and they will look after Amethi. This is the reason Rahul Gandhi did not come to Amethi today." Irani has faced Rahul in Amethi Lok Sabha seat for which the polling took place on Monday. Gandhi has been winning this seat since 2004. In the last Lok Sabha polls, he had defeated Irani by a margin of over one lakh votes. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

On polling day, Rahul Gandhi cancels Amethi visit; Smriti Irani says insult to people

As Amethi parliamentary constituency went into polls in the 5th phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Monday, Union Minister and BJP candidate Smriti Irani hit out at opponent Congress President Rahul Gandhi alleging booth capturing in the constituency. Watch this video to know more.

Smriti Irani alleges voters being forced to vote for Congress

<p>Two days before the polls in Amethi, BJP president Amit Shah and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-polls-2019-smriti-irani-visits-amethi-more-than-rahul-gandhi-says-yogi-adityanath-214907">party's candidate from the constituency</a> Smriti Irani held a road show in the town.</p>

<p>Addressing the crowd in the roadshow Shah said that the massive crowd was "evidence that people of Amethi had faith in BJP and Modi ji".</p>

<p>"Everyone is hopeful. The massive crowd is evidence that people of Amethi have faith in Modi ji and BJP is winning here in this elections. Opposition will stop making any claims after the result, BJP will form government with massive majority," he said.</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amethis-battle-royale-smriti-irani-to-take-on-rahul-gandhi-again-207829">Amethi's battle royale: Smriti Irani to take on Rahul Gandhi again</a></p>

<p>Targetting the Congress, Shah further said, "For the first time Amethi is feeling that development is possible here as well. Even after making members of Gandhi family their representative for so many years, there were villages which didn't have electricity. They received electricity only after Modi ji came".</p>

<p>Union Smriti Irani, who accompanied Shah said, "By writing letters (to the electorate) before elections, Rahul Gandhi is hinting that he will not be present in Amethi ever."</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: BJP President Amit Shah and Union Minister Smriti Irani hold a road show in Amethi. Smriti Irani is BJP candidate from Amethi parliamentary constituency. The constituency will undergo polling on 6th May. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections</a> <a href="https://t.co/DOv0CVYe66">pic.twitter.com/DOv0CVYe66</a></p>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1124623885452734464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Uttar Pradesh's Amethi constituency&nbsp;which is considered a&nbsp;Gandhi bastion, will go to polls in the fifth phase on May 6.</p>

<p>For the past four generations, the Lok Sabha seat&nbsp;has been represented by the members of the Gandhi family.</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi, who has been representing the constituency for the past 15 years, will this time again face BJP's Irani.</p>

<p>In the 2014 general elections, Irani was defeated by Rahul Gandhi by over one lakh votes.</p>

<p>This time, the Congress president filed nominations from two Lok Sabha constituencies, Amethi and Wayanad.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Two days before the polls in Amethi, BJP president Amit Shah and the party's candidate from the constituency Smriti Irani held a road show in the town. Addressing the crowd in the roadshow Shah said that the massive crowd was "evidence that people of Amethi had faith in BJP and Modi ji".

Two days before the polls in Amethi, BJP president Amit Shah and the party's candidate from the constituency Smriti Irani held a road show in the town. Addressing the crowd in the roadshow Shah said that the massive crowd was "evidence that people of Amethi had faith in BJP and Modi ji". "Everyone is hopeful. The massive crowd is evidence that people of Amethi have faith in Modi ji and BJP is winning here in this elections. Opposition will stop making any claims after the result, BJP will form government with massive majority," he said. Also read: Amethi's battle royale: Smriti Irani to take on Rahul Gandhi again Targetting the Congress, Shah further said, "For the first time Amethi is feeling that development is possible here as well. Even after making members of Gandhi family their representative for so many years, there were villages which didn't have electricity. They received electricity only after Modi ji came". Union Smriti Irani, who accompanied Shah said, "By writing letters (to the electorate) before elections, Rahul Gandhi is hinting that he will not be present in Amethi ever." #WATCH: BJP President Amit Shah and Union Minister Smriti Irani hold a road show in Amethi. Smriti Irani is BJP candidate from Amethi parliamentary constituency. The constituency will undergo polling on 6th May. #LokSabhaElections pic.twitter.com/DOv0CVYe66 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 4, 2019 × Uttar Pradesh's Amethi constituency which is considered a Gandhi bastion, will go to polls in the fifth phase on May 6. For the past four generations, the Lok Sabha seat has been represented by the members of the Gandhi family. Rahul Gandhi, who has been representing the constituency for the past 15 years, will this time again face BJP's Irani. In the 2014 general elections, Irani was defeated by Rahul Gandhi by over one lakh votes. This time, the Congress president filed nominations from two Lok Sabha constituencies, Amethi and Wayanad. (With inputs from agencies)

Massive crowd is evidence that people of Amethi have faith in Modi ji: Amit Shah

The fifth phase, to be held on May 6, covers Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Bihar among other states. Watch some of the key battles in phase 5 of Lok Sabha polls. watch video to know more.

IEW: Key battles in phase 5 of Lok Sabha polls

Smriti Irani joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2003. She became the vice-president of the Maharashtra Youth Wing in 2004. In the 2004 general elections for the 14th Lok Sabha, she contested unsuccessfully against Kapil Sibal from the Chandni Chowk constituency in Delhi.

IEW: Know Your Candidate; Smriti Irani

The Lok Sabha election 2019 is underway and about to witness its 5th phase on 6th of May.

India Election Watch: Watch top election stories

<p>The Congress party in Uttar Pradesh is fighting a battle to lose, says<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-polls-2019-smriti-irani-visits-amethi-more-than-rahul-gandhi-says-yogi-adityanath-214907&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjfjtzOvfzhAhXeknAKHXPzAEIQFjAAegQIAxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1uNmGqubfdtnamPXMxeCEL"> Union Minister Smriti Irani</a>, as the battle of ballots intensifies in India's politically most important state where 80 Lok Sabha seats are up for grab.</p>

<p>"The Congress party in Uttar Pradesh is fighting a battle to lose. I am sure of my win. This will be a victory for the people of Amethi," Union Minister Irani told Smita Prakash, ANI in an exclusive interview.</p>

<p>"I am a normal party worker, even though I have been working for the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We gave a chase to the Congress president that he had to run even after the SP and the BSP pledged support on the seat," she said.</p>

<p>"It was the first time that party workers of a political outfit had to ask their chief to look out for another seat, as they felt Amethi was not a secure seat anymore. That tells you how good is the atmosphere for the BJP. This is not a fight against the BJP and the Congress. It is a genuine fight between the people and a 'lapata saansad(Sansad)' (missing parliamentarian). He was absent for five years and even during the campaign. He also did not speak about Amethi in the Parliament," she added.</p>

<p>Irani's statement comes close on the heels of Congress general secretary east UP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's statement on Wednesday in Raebareli where she had said that her party had fielded some candidates in UP with an aim to cut into the BJP's vote share.</p>

<p>"Congress will win on the seats where our candidates are strong. Where our candidates are slightly lightweight, they will cut into the BJP`s vote share," she had told media persons.</p>

<p>Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav has also dismissed Priyanka`s statement as an "excuse" since the "people are not with them."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I cannot believe in these types of statements. I do not believe that the Congress has fielded weak candidates anywhere. No party does it. People are not with them. That is why they are making excuses," Yadav told ANI in an exclusive interview.</p>

<p>In Uttar Pradesh, where 80 Lok Sabha seats are up for grab, SP is contesting 37 seats, BSP 38, and their ally - RLD - three seats. They have not fielded candidates from Amethi and Raebareli from where Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi are seeking their re-election.</p>

<p>So far 39 Lok Sabha seats have gone to polls in the state, while remaining 41 will go to polls during the remaining three phases of the polling, the last phase of voting on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.</p>


The Congress party in Uttar Pradesh is fighting a battle to lose, says Union Minister Smriti Irani, as the battle of ballots intensifies in India's politically most important state where 80 Lok Sabha seats are up for grab.

The Congress party in Uttar Pradesh is fighting a battle to lose, says Union Minister Smriti Irani, as the battle of ballots intensifies in India's politically most important state where 80 Lok Sabha seats are up for grab. "The Congress party in Uttar Pradesh is fighting a battle to lose. I am sure of my win. This will be a victory for the people of Amethi," Union Minister Irani told Smita Prakash, ANI in an exclusive interview. "I am a normal party worker, even though I have been working for the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We gave a chase to the Congress president that he had to run even after the SP and the BSP pledged support on the seat," she said. "It was the first time that party workers of a political outfit had to ask their chief to look out for another seat, as they felt Amethi was not a secure seat anymore. That tells you how good is the atmosphere for the BJP. This is not a fight against the BJP and the Congress. It is a genuine fight between the people and a 'lapata saansad(Sansad)' (missing parliamentarian). He was absent for five years and even during the campaign. He also did not speak about Amethi in the Parliament," she added. Irani's statement comes close on the heels of Congress general secretary east UP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's statement on Wednesday in Raebareli where she had said that her party had fielded some candidates in UP with an aim to cut into the BJP's vote share. "Congress will win on the seats where our candidates are strong. Where our candidates are slightly lightweight, they will cut into the BJP`s vote share," she had told media persons. Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav has also dismissed Priyanka`s statement as an "excuse" since the "people are not with them." "I cannot believe in these types of statements. I do not believe that the Congress has fielded weak candidates anywhere. No party does it. People are not with them. That is why they are making excuses," Yadav told ANI in an exclusive interview. In Uttar Pradesh, where 80 Lok Sabha seats are up for grab, SP is contesting 37 seats, BSP 38, and their ally - RLD - three seats. They have not fielded candidates from Amethi and Raebareli from where Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi are seeking their re-election. So far 39 Lok Sabha seats have gone to polls in the state, while remaining 41 will go to polls during the remaining three phases of the polling, the last phase of voting on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Congress is fighting a battle to lose: Smriti Irani

<p>Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that in last five years BJP leader Smriti Irani visited Amethi more than Congress President Rahul Gandhi in the last 15 years.</p>

<p>Speaking at an election rally in Amethi, where Smriti Irani is contesting against Rahul Gandhi for the second consecutive time in the Lok Sabha polls, Adityanath said, "In the last five years Smriti Irani visited Amethi&nbsp;more than Rahul Gandhi did in the last 15 years."</p>

<p>Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the UP chief minister said, "Everywhere in the country, people want Narendra Modi led government again. In 2014 there was Modi wave and this time there is Modi wave along with his work."</p>

<p>Adityanath said, "PM Modi worked for "Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas" while Congress' dynastic family does otherwise.</p>

<p>He said, "Under PM Modi led NDA government, 1.5 crores poor of the country have got houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in the past five years. As many as 9.5 crore toilets have been made.”</p>

<p>“Poor farmers get Rs 6,000 per annum under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi. 15 crore youths get economic assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana. 37 crore people have got bank accounts. 50 crore people have health insurance under the Ayushman Bharat,” he added.</p>

<p>Adityanath said, “Kalashnikov rifles are going to be manufactured soon in Amethi. In this way, this place will contribute to the fight against terrorism.&nbsp;<br />
This will strengthen the security of the country. If the country is strong then we all will be empowered too.”</p>

<p>Hitting out at Congress, Adityanath said, "Congress dynasty says that there is EVM problem in the Lok Sabha Polls, they are saying this because they fear BJP's popularity in the polls."</p>

<p>"Rahul Gandhi has won three times from here but he has betrayed the people. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-known-as-raul-vinci-in-britain-italy-yogi-adityanath-212438">When he visits foreign countries then he changes his name</a>," added Adityanath.</p>

<p>Praising his own work in Uttar Pradesh, he said, "There are 1,58,000 basic education schools in UP but their conditions were bad. Through Kaya Kalp scheme, conditions of more than 1,15,000 schools were improved by the state government."</p>

<p>He said, "There is massive infrastructure development under Modi government like metro, highways, railways, air connectivity, AIIMS, IIT and besides this the security of the country is taken care of."</p>

<p>Adityanath said, "Under Congress, 270 districts were affected by terrorism and Naxalism and now it is limited to 5-6 districts under PM Modi led BJP...When Narendra Modi become PM again then this country will get free from terrorism and Naxalism forever."</p>

<p>Praising BJP's manifesto in the Lok Sabha Polls, the UP Chief Minister said, "Kisan Samman Nidhi every year each farmer will get Rs 6,000. BJP will give pension to farmers and businessmen after they get sixty years old."</p>

<p>He added, "Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi used to say I send 100 then only 15 gets to poor. I say the rest 85 used to get consumed by corrupt middlemen of Congress. Narendra Modi gives 100 and all of it reaches poor."</p>

<p>He criticised NYAY scheme saying Rahul Gandhi should apologize for the injustices done to people.</p>

<p>"If Congress was in power then Wing Commander Abhinandan who was got captive in Pakistan while defending the country would have been tortured in Pakistan. But it was BJP government's effort that Pakistan had to return Abhinandan," he added.</p>


Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that in last five years BJP leader Smriti Irani visited Amethi more than Congress President Rahul Gandhi in the last 15 years.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that in last five years BJP leader Smriti Irani visited Amethi more than Congress President Rahul Gandhi in the last 15 years. Speaking at an election rally in Amethi, where Smriti Irani is contesting against Rahul Gandhi for the second consecutive time in the Lok Sabha polls, Adityanath said, "In the last five years Smriti Irani visited Amethi more than Rahul Gandhi did in the last 15 years." Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the UP chief minister said, "Everywhere in the country, people want Narendra Modi led government again. In 2014 there was Modi wave and this time there is Modi wave along with his work." Adityanath said, "PM Modi worked for "Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas" while Congress' dynastic family does otherwise. He said, "Under PM Modi led NDA government, 1.5 crores poor of the country have got houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in the past five years. As many as 9.5 crore toilets have been made.” “Poor farmers get Rs 6,000 per annum under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi. 15 crore youths get economic assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana. 37 crore people have got bank accounts. 50 crore people have health insurance under the Ayushman Bharat,” he added. Adityanath said, “Kalashnikov rifles are going to be manufactured soon in Amethi. In this way, this place will contribute to the fight against terrorism. This will strengthen the security of the country. If the country is strong then we all will be empowered too.” Hitting out at Congress, Adityanath said, "Congress dynasty says that there is EVM problem in the Lok Sabha Polls, they are saying this because they fear BJP's popularity in the polls." "Rahul Gandhi has won three times from here but he has betrayed the people. When he visits foreign countries then he changes his name," added Adityanath. Praising his own work in Uttar Pradesh, he said, "There are 1,58,000 basic education schools in UP but their conditions were bad. Through Kaya Kalp scheme, conditions of more than 1,15,000 schools were improved by the state government." He said, "There is massive infrastructure development under Modi government like metro, highways, railways, air connectivity, AIIMS, IIT and besides this the security of the country is taken care of." Adityanath said, "Under Congress, 270 districts were affected by terrorism and Naxalism and now it is limited to 5-6 districts under PM Modi led BJP...When Narendra Modi become PM again then this country will get free from terrorism and Naxalism forever." Praising BJP's manifesto in the Lok Sabha Polls, the UP Chief Minister said, "Kisan Samman Nidhi every year each farmer will get Rs 6,000. BJP will give pension to farmers and businessmen after they get sixty years old." He added, "Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi used to say I send 100 then only 15 gets to poor. I say the rest 85 used to get consumed by corrupt middlemen of Congress. Narendra Modi gives 100 and all of it reaches poor." He criticised NYAY scheme saying Rahul Gandhi should apologize for the injustices done to people. "If Congress was in power then Wing Commander Abhinandan who was got captive in Pakistan while defending the country would have been tortured in Pakistan. But it was BJP government's effort that Pakistan had to return Abhinandan," he added.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Smriti Irani visits Amethi more than Rahul Gandhi, says Yogi Adityanath

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning, April 29th 2019

In Lok Sabha Polls 2019, 17 seats of Maharashtra are in the fray in fourth phase.

LS Polls: 17 seats of Maharashtra in the fray in fourth phase of Lok Sabha Polls

smriti-irani

Smriti Irani, News on Smriti Irani, stories on Smriti Irani, articles on Smriti Irani, Smriti Irani stories at Wion, Smriti Irani news, Smriti Irani latest news

smriti irani