Lok Sabha Elections: 8 Ministers Of Modi Government In Fray In First Phase Of Voting

 Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris constituency witnesses a clash between a minister from the Modi government and a former minister from the Manmohan Singh administration. Former Union Minister A. Raja of DMK competes against BJP’s L. Murugan, with Raja having consistently won from this seat.

In Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister Jitendra Singh contests from Udhampur, seeking a third consecutive win. Challenged by Congress’s Chaudhary Lal Singh, it remains to be seen if Singh can achieve a hat-trick of victories.

In Assam’s Dibrugarh, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal steps into the electoral arena, replacing Central Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Rameshwar Teli. He faces Congress’s Manoj Dhanowar, with the outcome set to determine if Sonowal can unfurl the flag of victory.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju is contesting from the Arunachal West constituency, having been an MP since 2004. His opponent is former Chief Minister and current President of Arunachal Pradesh Congress, Nabam Tuki, presenting Rijiju with formidable challenges.

 In Uttar Pradesh’s high-profile Muzaffarnagar, Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan finds himself in a tight spot for his third electoral battle, opposed by SP’s Jat leader Harendra Malik and BSP’s Dara Singh Prajapati. Balyan’s previous successes in 2014 and 2019 are now challenged by a fascinating electoral tussle, with Thakur voters reportedly disgruntled and a potential split in Jat votes, while Muslim voters seem united with SP.

The Alwar constituency in Rajasthan is considered a high-profile seat in the first phase. BJP’s prominent leader and Union Minister Bhupender Yadav is contesting, with Congress MLA Lalit Yadav challenging him. Following Baba Balak Nath’s victory in 2019, the BJP has now nominated Bhupender Yadav, making the contest especially intriguing given both parties have fielded Yadav candidates.

The reserved SC constituency of Bikaner in Rajasthan sees BJP stalwart and Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal vying for a fourth term, opposed by Congress’s former minister Govind Ram Meghwal, setting the stage for a Meghwal vs. Meghwal showdown. With three wins under his belt, this election is particularly significant for Arjun Ram Meghwal.

In Maharashtra’s Nagpur, Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari enters the fray for the third time, challenged by Congress’s Vikas Thakre. Gadkari previously triumphed over seven-time MP Vilas Muttemwar in 2014 by a margin of 284,000 votes and defeated Congress candidate Nana Patole in 2019 by 216,000 votes. This year, he is poised to secure a hat-trick of victories, though the opposition has collectively fielded Vikas Thakre.