Rajnath Singh who secured a thumping win in the 2014 general elections shall be seeking a second term from Lucknow, which as per political pundits is termed as BJP's bastion in the Awadh region in Uttar Pradesh.
In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, UP minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi, then with the Congress, was Rajnath Singh's biggest challenger. She managed about 2,80,000 votes to Rajnath Singh's 5,60,000. Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) came in third while the Samajwadi Party was fourth.
The BJP has been on a winning spree in Lucknow, winning the prestigious seat continuously since 1991. Atal Bihari Vajpayee represented the constituency from 1991 to 2009, until he retreated from active politics. After Vajpayee retired from active politics, his prodigy Lalji Tandon represented the seat till 2014 before making way for current Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
Brief History
Lucknow has always been a seat of art, literature, culture and learning. In ancient times, it formed a part of Kaushal Kingdom and later on it was annexed to Avadh state.
It is said that the city was named after the name of Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord Rama. In the north-west of the city, near the Harding’s bridge there still exists a mound on the right bank of the river Gomati which is called Lakshman tila. Some of the scholars are of the opinion that the city was named after a milk man (Ahir) named Lakhana, who became rich as a result of the spiritual blessing of a Muslim saint.
Here is all you need to know about the Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency
State - Uttar Pradesh
Constituency number: 35
Constituency Status - General
Current Member of Parliament - Rajnath Singh (Bharatiya Janata Party)
Assembly Constituencies: Lucknow West, Lucknow North, Lucknow East, Lucknow Central, Lucknow Cantt.
Total electors: 19,49,956
Female electors: 8,97,785
Male electors: 10,52,171
Reserved: No
Delimited: Yes
Bakshi Ka Talao was transferred to Mohanlalganj (SC) Lok Sabha constituency, making Lucknow a significantly urban constituency.
Voter turnout in the 2014 Parliamentary election was 53.06% where as it was 35.33% in 2009 Parliamentary Election.
Demographics: A highly urbanised constituency, majority of the voters belong to the upper caste, especially Brahmins. Muslims, a large number of them belonging to the Shia sect, are found in large numbers in this constituency.
Results in 2014 Lok Sabha elections
Rajnath Singh from the Bharatiya Janata Party won the Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow, bagging 561106 votes and polling 54.27% of the total votes in his favour. Rita Bahuguna Joshi, his nearest rival from the Congress garnered 288357 votes, polling 27.9% of total votes..
Results in 2009 Lok Sabha elections
Lal ji Tandon from the Bharatiya Janata Party won the 2009 elections from Lucknow, polling 34.9% of the total votes. Rita Bahuguna Joshi, his nearest rival from the Congress polled 27.93% of total votes..