Battle Lines Drawn: Key Candidates in the Phase 2 of Lok Sabha Elections
News Mania / Agnibeena Ghosh/ 27th April 2024
As the Lok Sabha elections progress, key political figures and personalities from across the spectrum vie for seats in the second phase, setting the stage for crucial battles across various constituencies.
In this phase, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor, along with actor-turned-politician Arun Govil, step into the electoral arena, while BJP stalwarts such as Hema Malini, Om Birla, and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat aim for a triumphant return to office.
- Rahul Gandhi: The sitting MP from Wayanad in Kerala seeks re-election, facing competition from CPI’s Annie Raja and BJP’s K Surendran. Gandhi’s victory margin in the 2019 elections, exceeding 7 lakh votes, underscores his strong presence in the region.
- Shashi Tharoor: A seasoned Congress leader and former Union Minister, Tharoor aims to secure his Thiruvananthapuram seat for the fourth consecutive term. He faces contenders such as Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar of the BJP and CPI’s Pannyan Raveendran.
- Hema Malini: Representing Mathura since 2014, Malini confronts Congress’ Mukesh Dhangar in her bid for re-election.
- Om Birla: Former Lok Sabha speaker and incumbent MP from Kota, Birla contests against Prahlad Gunjal of the Congress party.
- Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: Union Minister Shekhawat seeks his third victory in Jodhpur, facing off against Congress candidate Karan Singh Uchiyarda.
- Tejasvi Surya: The incumbent MP for Bangalore South and national president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), Surya contests against Congress candidate Sowmya Reddy.
- Bhupesh Baghel: Former Chhattisgarh CM and Congress leader, Baghel, contests from Rajnandgaon, challenging the BJP stronghold. He faces BJP candidate Santosh Pandey.
- KC Venugopal: AICC general secretary K C Venugopal returns to the fray for the Alappuzha seat in Kerala, seeking to reclaim the constituency for Congress. Venugopal, with an impressive electoral track record, faces stiff competition.
- Arun Govil: Best known for his portrayal of Lord Ram in the Ramayan TV series, Govil enters the electoral contest, facing contenders from BSP and SP in a bid to secure victory.
- Suresh Gopi: Actor-turned-politician Gopi contests from Thrissur against prominent rivals from Congress and CPI(M), marking a significant electoral battle in the region.
With polling scheduled across multiple states and Union territories, the second phase of Lok Sabha elections witnesses a diverse array of candidates vying for electoral success. As voters head to the polls, these contests will shape the political landscape, determining the course of governance for years to come.
