With the general elections looming, the political furnace has been reignited in Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi constituency, a region that became the center of national curiosity during the previous Lok Sabha elections in 2019. Union Minister Smriti Irani, who is set to contest the Lok Sabha elections in 2024 from this prominent constituency, stands once again at the cusp of a heated political battle. Her remarkable victory over Congress stalwart Rahul Gandhi in the last elections marked a seismic shift in the political dynamics of Amethi, a seat that had been synonymous with the Gandhi family for decades.
The triumph of Smriti Irani in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections was encapsulated not just in the fact that she dethroned Rahul Gandhi from his family’s stronghold, but also in the sheer margin of the victory – over one lakh votes, a statement of her growing political clout and the changing electoral preferences of Amethi’s residents. Irani’s victory shattered the perceived invincibility of the Congress in the constituency and carved out a new narrative resonating with aspirations of change and development promised by the BJP.
As the atmosphere buzzes with predictions and anticipation, the Congress party finds itself in a deliberative state, yet to unveil its contender for the once impregnable seat. The election date is inching closer, with citizens of Amethi set to cast their votes on May 20th. The political cauldron simmers with speculations, strategies, and potential alliances as the electorate waits to witness the unfolding of a new chapter in their electoral history.
Beyond the political arena, Smriti Irani, in the process of her candidature filing, declared her financial assets in the mandated affidavit. Together with her husband Zubin Irani, their combined assets are estimated at a value exceeding Rs 17.55 crore, inclusive of cash and jewellery assets. This disclosure, an essential part of the democratic process, lends transparency and allows voters to evaluate the financial status of their potential leader.
The focal point of the elections, however, remains deeply rooted in the performances and promises of the candidates. Smriti Irani, renowned for her assertive presence and dedication to her constituency, faces the test of justifying her tenure and advocating her vision for the future of Amethi. Her political prowess and influence have also been quantified through the innovative Leader Social Score (LSS), a metric gauging a leader’s social media engagement and reach across various platforms. On this front, Irani has secured an overall score of 53 out of 100. This encompasses her strong presence on Facebook with an impressive score of 65, while her ventures on platforms such as Instagram have yet to take off, denoted by a score of 0. Other parameters such as X and Digital Listening have earned her scores of 66 and 52 respectively.
The Leader Social Score, powered by Machine Learning algorithms, evaluates public figures based on over 55 pertinent factors linked to social media engagement including, but not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube. It provides an insightful snapshot into how politicians and public figures resonate with the cyber populace. This metric, reflective of contemporary times, is increasingly significant in an era where social media plays a pivotal role in shaping public opinion and political campaigns.
As Amethi prepares to exercise its electoral power, the anticipation is palpable. Smriti Irani, bolstered by her previous accomplishment, stands ready to defend her position. With the political narratives intertwining with the lives of the citizens, it is clear that beyond the heat of campaigns and the churn of political machines, what truly culminates is the democratic voice of Amethi’s electorate, set to make a crucial decision on May 20th.
