Lok Sabha Election Result 2024: BJP MP Shankar Lalwani wins from Indore by highest ever record margin of 11.75 lakh votes

Lok Sabha Election 2024: In a resounding victory, BJP's Shankar Lalwani secured the Indore Lok Sabha seat by an unprecedented margin of over 11 lakh votes, marking a significant milestone in the electoral history of the country. The electoral contest, held on Tuesday, also saw the 'None of the Above' (NOTA) option making waves, setting a new record.

Lalwani's landslide win

Lalwani, the incumbent MP from Indore, garnered a staggering 12,26,751 votes, overshadowing his closest contender, Bahujan Samaj Party's Sanjay, who managed to secure only 51,659 votes. A senior BJP leader hailed Lalwani's victory margin as potentially the highest ever recorded in India's electoral annals.

Surge in NOTA votes

The electoral landscape in Indore was further characterised by a notable surge in the NOTA votes, with as many as 2,18,674 voters exercising their choice for the 'none of the above' option. This surge in NOTA votes was particularly remarkable in a contest where the Congress party did not field a candidate.

Congress setback and advocacy for NOTA

The Congress party's fortunes in Indore suffered a setback when its candidate, Akshay Kanti Bam, withdrew his nomination on April 29, the final day for withdrawal of nominations. Bam's subsequent allegiance to the BJP prompted the Congress to advocate for NOTA during the polling on May 13.

Political trajectory

Shankar Lalwani's political trajectory has been marked by notable achievements. Born on October 16, 1961, in Indore, Lalwani made an impressive debut in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, securing victory by a margin of 5.47 lakh votes. His extensive political career includes serving as a Councillor in the Indore Municipal Corporation from 1994 to 1999, followed by a tenure as Chairman of the Corporation from 1999 to 2004.

BJP's historical dominance in Indore

The BJP's dominance in the Indore Lok Sabha seat dates back to 1989, with stalwarts like Sumitra Mahajan, the former Speaker of the Lok Sabha, holding sway for eight consecutive terms prior to Lalwani's tenure.

Tikamgarh Lok Sabha seat

Meanwhile, in the Tikamgarh (SC) seat, Union Minister Virendra Kumar emerged victorious, defeating his Congress counterpart Pankaj Ahirwar by a significant margin of 4,03,312 votes. Kumar's triumph marks his fourth consecutive win in the elections, solidifying his political stronghold in the region.

Virendra Kumar's unbeaten streak

Virendra Kumar's unbeaten streak in the Tikamgarh Lok Sabha seat extends to 2009, having previously represented the Sagar Lok Sabha constituency for four terms before redistricting in 2008 necessitated the shift to Tikamgarh.

As the dust settles on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP's decisive victories in Indore and Tikamgarh underscore the party's enduring influence and electoral prowess in Madhya Pradesh.