The 2024 Lok Sabha elections will be remembered for their unprecedented campaign fervor and the remarkable strategies of political leaders. Many had anticipated the remarkable performances of several leaders and their parties. However, those underestimated by election pundits stunned everyone with their astounding success. Let's shed light on some of the leaders who are set to transform the upcoming Lok Sabha scenario with their stellar performances.
1. Akhilesh Yadav
It's proven once again when Akhilesh Yadav enters the fray after a setback, he secures a big victory. Dimple Yadav was introduced as a Samajwadi Party candidate for the first time in the Firozabad Lok Sabha by-election in 2009. Congress' Raj Babbar defeated Dimple Yadav at the polls.
With the agony of that defeat, Akhilesh Yadav took up the mantle and hit the campaign trail. At that time, Uttar Pradesh was under Mayawati's social engineering government, and Mulayam Singh Yadav was shifting his focus to Delhi.
It wasn't until three years of relentless effort that Akhilesh Yadav returned home when the people of UP handed over the reins of power to the Samajwadi Party in 2012. Akhilesh Yadav became the Chief Minister, and when elections were held for his vacated Kannauj seat, arrangements were made such that Dimple Yadav won unopposed and advanced to Parliament.
While Dimple Yadav convincingly won the 2014 election, she lost the Kannauj seat in 2019 despite an alliance with Mayawati's BSP – a setback similar to what Akhilesh Yadav had faced a decade earlier – and the shock of defeat was only soothed by Dimple's victory in Mainpuri. However, revenge against BJP has now been exacted.
'Do or die' was not a mere statement by Akhilesh Yadav. Not just in 2017 and 2022, but also in 2014 and 2019, the party secured only five seats, excluding Dimple Yadav.
Despite Mayawati breaking off the alliance, and a failed coalition with Congress, Akhilesh Yadav negotiated an electoral pact with Rahul Gandhi. During COVID, allegations mounted against Akhilesh Yadav for being inactive. Rumors even spread that he was late to respond to the Lok Sabha elections.
Facing off against the most powerful party in the country, BJP, meant fighting on two fronts with Modi and Yogi. Standing firm, Akhilyesh Yadav fought hard amidst the favorable BJP ambiance following the inauguration of the Ram Mandir, seeming poised to take the Faizabad seat as well.
Akhilesh Yadav's PDA has proven to be a precise weapon, signaling that BJP is likely to be confined to just 32 seats.
2. Chandrababu Naidu
Chandrababu Naidu's past experience with NDA wasn't great, but like the Samajwadi Party's renewed alliance with Congress, TDP also reconciled with BJP. Naidu's decision to bail on the NDA before the 2019 general elections was a sticking point, but BJP needed support in Andhra Pradesh to establish its foothold.
Prior to the 2019 elections, Chandrababu Naidu vigorously endeavored to unite the opposition against BJP, hoping to preside over pre-result coalition meetings with Rahul Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee. However, the TMC leader showed no interest.
Andhra Pradesh was unforgiving, especially with Jaganmohan Reddy not leaving any stones unturned to hassle Naidu, including a jail sentence. Returning from incarceration, Chandrababu Naidu reignited the political fight, seizing the widespread dissent in Andhra Pradesh against Jaganmohan Reddy to his advantage.
Currently, Naidu holds the cards in his hands and has emerged as a kingmaker after regaining the state's power and securing a Lok Sabha seat count that prevents him from considering abandoning NDA, with an eye on the India Bloc that's attempting to charm him – a return to prominence and politics as a kingmaker is certain for Chandrababu Naidu.
Having ousted Jaganmohan Reddy from power and constricted the YSRCP to just four seats while leading in 16, the path to leadership is quite clear for Chandrababu Naidu.
