In a twist of fate and determination, 25-year-old Pushpendra Saroj achieved a historic victory by defeating BJPs Vinod Kumar Sonkar in the Kaushambi Lok Sabha seat. This victory not only avenged his fathers loss from five years prior but also set new records, making Saroj the youngest Member of Parliament in India and marking the largest winning margin by someone of his age.What is backstory of his fathers defeatIn 2019, the Samajwadi Party chose Indrajeet Saroj, a veteran politician with a long career, to contest the Kaushambi Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh. Despite his extensive experience as a five-time MLA and former minister in the UP Cabinet, Indrajeet Saroj lost to BJPs Vinod Kumar Sonkar by a margin of over 38,000 votes. This defeat planted the seeds of a political journey for his son, Pushpendra Saroj, who was determined to reclaim the seat.Young Mans resolvePushpendra Sarojs decision to enter politics was fueled by his fathers loss. When my father was defeated in 2019, I decided to pursue a career in politics. I aimed to enter the political arena in 2024 when I would turn 25, Saroj stated in an interview.He added, After talking with our party president, Akhilesh Yadav, he agreed and recommended that I run for the seat instead of my father, Saroj stated in an interview.At just 24 years old, Pushpendra began his campaign with vigor and a clear vision. His youthful energy and fresh perspective resonated with the voters of Kaushambi, who saw in him a leader who understood their issues and aspirations.Setting new recordsPushpendra Sarojs victory was nothing short of historic. Not only did he avenge his fathers defeat by winning with a margin of over 100,000 votes, but he also set a record as the youngest Member of Parliament with the largest winning margin for his age group. Honestly, I havent registered the win mentally. Representing my people in parliament is a huge responsibility. They have put their faith in me and helped set two records, Saroj reflected humbly.Samajwadi Partys stellar performanceThe 2024 elections saw the Samajwadi Party achieving unprecedented success in Uttar Pradesh. The party won 37 out of 80 seats, a significant improvement and a testament to their strategic campaigning. Their ally, Congress, secured eight seats, while the BJP, despite its strong base, managed only 32 seats. This performance was a surprise to many voters and political analysts alike.Core issues: Foundation of his victoryPushpendra Saroj credited the partys victory to their emphasis on key issues impacting the general public. We addressed significant matters—unemployment, inflation, and exam paper leaks, all of which affect the youth. These were the core concerns that the people of Uttar Pradesh voted for, he stated.
