Lok Sabha 2024: Five of the seven candidates from Uttar Pradesh (UP) featured in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) 10th list are newcomers, bringing the total number of announced candidates in the state to 70 out of 80 Lok Sabha seats.
Among these candidates, tourism minister Jaiveer Singh is contesting against Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate Dimple Yadav from Mainpuri, while Neeraj Tripathi, son of Keshari Nath Tripathi, replaces Rita Bahuguna Joshi in Prayagraj. In Ballia, Neeraj Shekhar, son of former Prime Minister Chandrashekhar, has received the ticket instead of current MP Virendra Singh Mast. Parasnath Rai has been nominated from Ghazipur, replacing former ticket holder Manoj Sinha. Lastly, Praveen Patel has been selected to contest from Phulpur in place of Keshari Devi Patel.
Two incumbent MPs who have been re-nominated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are Vinod Sonkar from Kaushambi and BP Saroj from Machhlishahr.
A look at the new faces.
Jaiveer Singh, born on October 2, 1958, in Karhera village, Firozabad district (formerly Mainpuri), was deeply influenced by his father’s principles of social harmony. He began his political journey through the Youth Congress during his student years and gradually progressed into student politics, actively participating in various movements. Starting his political career in 1984, Singh won the MLA seat from Ghiror in 2002. He subsequently served as the State Minister for Medical & Health from 2003 to 2006 and later as the Minister of State with Independent Charge for the Irrigation Department from 2007 to 2012. In 2022, he secured the MLA seat from Mainpuri Sadar, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Currently, he holds the position of Minister of Tourism and Culture in the Uttar Pradesh government.
Neeraj Tripathi, son of former Governor Kesharinath Tripathi, has been nominated as the BJP candidate from the Allahabad parliamentary seat, following the cancellation of former MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi’s ticket. Neeraj, presently serving as the Additional Advocate General in Allahabad High Court, is making his electoral debut. He aims to continue his father’s developmental legacy in Prayagraj, drawing from his background in law and politics. His father, a prominent figure in Uttar Pradesh politics and the legal fraternity, passed away on January 8, 2023. Joshi, who contested on a BJP ticket in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, had defeated SP candidate Rajendra Singh Patel. She remained in the Congress for 24 years and served as an MLA from Lucknow Cantt assembly seat in 2012 and 2017, along with being the Mayor of Allahabad from 1995 to 2000.
Neeraj Shekhar, son of former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar, has been nominated as the BJP candidate from Ballia, replacing the current MP Virendra Singh Mast. Born in Uttar Pradesh’s Ibrahimpatti in Ballia district, Shekhar comes from a Rajput family and made his political debut by winning the Ballia constituency by-election in December 2007 as an SP candidate, succeeding his late father. Although he secured victory in the 15th Lok Sabha in 2009, he faced defeat in 2014. Currently, he serves as a member of the Rajya Sabha, having left the SP on July 15, 2019, and concurrently resigned from his Rajya Sabha seat to join the BJP.
Parasnath Rai, BJP’s candidate for Ghazipur, is the managing director of Madan Mohan Malviya Inter College and a resident of Sikhadi village in Ghazipur. Known as a close associate of Jammu and Kashmir Governor Manoj Sinha, Rai is also affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Despite his prior engagement in education, Rai’s entry into electoral politics marks his debut. He developed a bond with Sinha during their time at the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and subsequently returned to Sikhadi to establish educational institutions such as Madan Mohan Malviya Sikhri Inter College, Shabari PG College Sikhadi, and Vidya Public School. Rai played a crucial role in the election management during Sinha’s Lok Sabha campaign in Ghazipur. This nomination by the BJP represents Rai’s first foray into active politics, reflecting the party’s confidence in his capabilities and local influence.
Praveen Kumar Patel serves as the MLA representing the Phulpur constituency in Prayagraj district. In the 2022 Uttar Pradesh elections, he clinched victory in Phulpur by defeating SP’s Murtaza Siddiqui with a margin of 2,732 votes. Patel’s declared assets amount to Rs 40.3 crore, with Rs 5.1 crore in movable assets and Rs 35.2 crore in immovable assets. His reported income stands at Rs 25.8 lakh, including a self-income of Rs 9.9 lakh, while his liabilities are at Rs 2.2 crore. At 43, Patel’s election affidavit mentions one criminal case registered against him.