Why Smriti Irani is Already a Winner....

This election, apart from the massive anticipations in general, there is no doubt that the contest and the results of the Varanasi seat would be eagerly awaited. However, apart from the Varanasi seat from where Narendra Modi is contesting, it seems that the contest for the Amethi seat would also create a considerable amount of excitement now that

has fielded power speaker and Rajya Sabha member

to directly take on

in his bastion. The contest in Amethi is now expected to be a three way contest with AAP's

too contesting from there.

In the hindsight, pitching of Smriti Irani against Rahul Gandhi is a sort of indication that BJP is in no mood to go soft on any of the top leaders of the Congress and that includes Rahul Gandhi as well. While there is no doubt that the Congress election machinery would leave no stone unturned to make sure that Amethi does not end up giving a shocker of a result, it is for sure that this time it would not be a cakewalk for Rahul Gandhi and that he might have to face some stiff resistance.

Smriti Irani is no newcomer or a light weight candidate given the considerable amount of political experience that comes along with her candidature. Over the last few years she had made a considerable amount of name for herself through her representation of BJP in news debates and her ability to articulate on issues with sheer conviction and élan.

BJP candidate Smriti Irani is no newcomer or a light weight candidate

That her presence is going to create some ripple was evident by some real time irresponsible statements made by the Kumar Vishwas on the context of Smriti Irani and her ‘Irani' surname. In a one on one or a tripartite debate, it is a foregone conclusion as to who would be the sure winner.

It is for sure that over the next few weeks Smriti would leave no stone unturned to make her presence in Amethi felt. A powerful speaker that she is, coupled with the fact that her television acting background makes her almost a household name across the spectrum of India, Smriti Irani's trailblazer campaign in Amethi is expected to give some sleepless nights to Congress campaign managers.

Nevertheless, irrespective of whatever be the outcome of the Amethi election, in certain respect Smriti Irani is a sure winner so far as her stature within the party and her national appeal goes. Her willing acceptance of the tough job, the enthusiasm and conviction with which she is attempting to go ahead with it, is quite difficult to ignore. Her candidature for Amethi is also a reflection of how she is eventually becoming a trump card for the party.

With political contours taking a new shape both in India as a whole as well as inside BJP, one can witness a certain pattern in terms of the next generation leaders that are being groomed by the party. And the likes of Smriti Irani and Meenakshi Lekhi certainly fall in that category. Their ability to connect with the new generation audience, their grasp on issues as well as being strong advocates women empowerment certainly makes them possible contenders to be among the core of leadership in BJP in the years to come.

Over the next few weeks, Smriti Irani, true to her style, would expectedly make herself pretty much at ease in Amethi and would connect with people with her eloquent oratory. It is also for sure that she would raise some extremely uncomfortable questions on national issues for the Gandhi scion to answer and it would surely be a treat to watch. For Smriti Irani, Amethi may not be a litmus test. She has already proved her mettle enough and it would perhaps just be a stepping stone towards bigger political roles in BJP waiting for her in the long run.