Archive · 18 Aug 2026
BJP brings Smriti Irani back as national general secretary
A big political party in India called the BJP has given Smriti Irani an important new job.
She is now one of the leaders who helps run the party.
Smriti Irani is famous for winning an election in a place called Amethi.
Amethi used to belong to a very famous political family, the Gandhis.
In 2019, she beat Rahul Gandhi, a leader of that family, in an election.
People called her a 'giant killer' because of that win.
But in 2024, she lost that same seat to another Congress candidate.
Now the BJP wants her help again because there will be a big election in the state of Uttar Pradesh in 2027.
She also returned to television in 2025 as Tulsi Virani in a popular show.
The party hopes she can help them win more seats in Uttar Pradesh.
Smriti Irani was appointed one of eight national general secretaries in the BJP's new national team announced on Monday, August 17.
Irani defeated Rahul Gandhi in Amethi in the 2019 Lok Sabha election by 55,120 votes, earning the 'giant killer' label.
She lost Amethi to Congress candidate Kishori Lal Sharma in the 2024 Lok Sabha election by 1,67,196 votes.
The BJP won 33 of Uttar Pradesh's 80 Lok Sabha seats in 2024, while the opposition INDI bloc won 43.
The appointment is seen as preparation for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election expected in 2027, where the BJP seeks a hat-trick under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
- Who
- Smriti Irani, former Union minister, appointed as one of eight national general secretaries of the BJP; Rahul Gandhi and Kishori Lal Sharma are central figures in her Amethi electoral history.
- What
- The BJP brought Smriti Irani back into its national organisation as a national general secretary, part of a larger organisational reset.
- When
- Monday, August 17.
- Where
- India, with focus on Uttar Pradesh and the Amethi constituency.
- Why
- To rebuild the BJP's organisation in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the Assembly election expected in 2027, using Irani's electoral record, grassroots connections and campaign skills.
- Appointment
- National General Secretary (one of eight)
- 2019 Amethi result
- Irani 4,68,514 votes; Rahul Gandhi 4,13,394 votes; margin 55,120
- 2024 Amethi result
- Kishori Lal Sharma 5,39,228 votes; Irani 3,72,032 votes; margin 1,67,196
- Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha seats
- 80
- 2024 UP Lok Sabha outcome
- BJP 33 seats, NDA 36, INDI bloc 43
- Next UP Assembly election
- Expected 2027, due around February-March
- New national team size
- 13 vice-presidents, 8 general secretaries, 16 secretaries
- Women in new team
- 10
