Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Key battles in Hindi heartland

BJP's Smriti Irani was fielded against Congress fielded Kishori Lal Sharma, a Gandhi family loyalist, from Amethi Lok Sabha seat. This is the first time in 25 years that the Congress party has nominated a candidate outside of the Gandhi family to contest from Amethi.

The seat is one of the 80 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh. This time, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was in a straight fight against BJP's Dinesh Pratap Singh.

Chirag Paswan, the chief of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), was pitted against RJD candidate Shiv Chandra Ram. Hajipur is one of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third term and hoping to win from Varanasi with a record margin. Congress has pitted Ajay Rai against him.

BJP fielded Om Birla against Congress candidate Prahlad Gunjal in Rajasthan's Kota.