In a significant setback for the Bharatiya Janata Party, six Union ministers lost elections from Uttar Pradesh, exposing BJP’s downfall in the state.

Union Minister Smriti Irani, who was contesting to retain her seat in Amethi, lost to Congress candidate Kishori Lal Sharma by a staggering 1.61 lakh votes. 

The unexpected turn of events has sent shockwaves, especially considering the BJP’s confidence in Irani’s victory despite viewing Sharma as a lesser contender.

In 2019, Smriti Irani had defeated Rahul Gandhi in Amethi and had emerged as a giant killer.

Union Minister of State for Home, Ajay Mishra Teni, lost in Kheri, to Utkarsh Varma of the Samajwadi Party by over 33,323 votes. Mishra hit headlines in October 2021 following a tragic incident involving a vehicle allegedly linked to him, resulting in the deaths of four protesting farmers. His son, Ashish, remains the primary accused in the case. Despite widespread criticism, the BJP staunchly supported Mishra, exacerbating tensions surrounding the controversial incident.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Kaushal Kishore faced a similar fate in Mohanlalganj, where RK Chaudhary of the Samajwadi Party defeated him by over 84,000 votes.

In Chandauli, Union Minister Mahendra Nath Pandey lost to Virendra Singh of the Samajwadi Party by 21,565, adding to the BJP’s woes. Pandey had won the seat in 2014 and 2019 and was made an Union minister on both occasions.

Additionally, Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti lost in Fatehpur to Samajwadi Party’s Naresh Uttam Patel by 35,675 voted. Uttam, a former state president of the Samajwadi Party, is Akhilesh Yadav’s confidante. of Akhilesh Yadav.

Two Ministers in UP government — Dinesh Pratap Singh (Rae Bareli) and Jaiveer Singh (Mainpuri) — too lost elections.

The defeat of these six ministers underscores the electoral setback the BJP faced in Uttar Pradesh.