Amethi: Smriti Irani Extends Lead To Over 44,000 Votes After Rahul Gandhi Concedes Defeat

Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Amethi, Smriti Irani has extended a lead of more than 40,000 votes even as her rival Congress president Rahul Gandhi has conceded defeat in the constituency.

As per the latest Election Commission data, Irani has polled 332,842 votes while the Gandhi scion trails by over 44,000 votes at 288,760 votes which have been counted till now. The two candidates had faced off in the same constituency in 2014 as well, but Gandhi was able to hold onto his family stronghold by a margin of over a lakh.

Rahul had earlier, during a press conference, conceded his defeat in the Amethi and had congratulated Smriti Irani for her victory.

Gandhi had been representing the constituency for the last three Lok Sabha terms, so the seat had always been perceived as a safe stronghold for him. However, the Congress president is also contesting the second seat of Wayanad in Kerala, which many had seen as a hedge against the risk of losing in Amethi.