From Yusuf Pathan, Kirti Azad To Devendra Jhajharia: How Sporting Personalities Fared In Lok Sabha Election 2024

Lok Sabha Election Results: Five sportspersons had contested in Lok Sabha Elections 2024, including cricket World Cup winners Yusuf Pathan (2007 {T20}, 2011 {ODI}) and Kirti Azad (1983).

Lok Sabha Election Results: After the seven-phase Lok Sabha Election 2024 came to an end on June 1 (Saturday), the D-Day arrived on June 4 (Tuesday) with the counting of votes having taken place. Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bhartiya Janta Party was fighting for a third successive term at the centre, while the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) were up against a party and a leader in full form, claiming to go past the 400-seat mark in the General Elections 2024.

Even though BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) may be on its way to form the government, the party has lost a number of its seats with Congress-led INDIA doing far better than the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections. Having said that, PM Modi is likely to take oath as the Prime Minister for his third term on June 9 (Sunday). 

There were several members from the sporting arena who had contested the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 and here is a look at how they fared.

1. Yusuf Pathan

Yusuf Pathan had got a ticket fron the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC). He was contesting from the Baharampur Lok Sabha Seat and was up against Congress' candidate Adhir Ranjan. However, the former India all-rounder, who was part of both the 2007 T20-World Cup-winning side as well as the 2011 ODI World Cup-winning India teams, continued his fine form on the political pitch and emerged victorious by a margin of over 60,000 votes.

2. Kirti Azad

While Yusuf is relatively new to the political scheme of things, Kirti Azad is now a veteran politican, having last played for India in 1986. Azad was once again trusted by the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), fieding from the Bardhaman-Durgapur Lok Sabha Constituency where he was challenged by BJP's Dilip Ghosh. However, Kirti Azad emerged victorious by a margin of over 1 lakh votes.

3. Devendra Jhajharia

India's decorated para-athlete Devendra Jhajharia was contesting from the Churu Lok Sabha Constituency of Rajasthan. Representing the Bhatiya Janta Party (BJP), however, the javelin thrower conceded a defeat, losing to Indian National Congress' Rahul Kaswan by over 70,000 votes.

4. Dilip Kumar Tirkey

India's former field hockey captain Dilip Kumar Tirkey contested in the Sundargarh Lok Sabha Constituency of Odisha. He was the candidate from the Biju Janata Dal but conceded a defeat, losing to BJP's Jual Oram by a margin over 1 lakh votes.