Hemang Joshi, at 33, has become the youngest candidate representing the BJP in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. His surprising nomination unfolded while he and his wife were enjoying a musical program during Holi festivities. Amidst the cheerful atmosphere, Joshi was inundated with congratulatory calls, revealing to him that he had been chosen by the BJP to contest from the Vadodara seat in Gujarat.
Reflecting on this unexpected turn of events, Joshi expressed his astonishment, admitting that he had never envisioned receiving such a ticket. "It came as a matter of immense surprise to me," he shared with the news agency PTI, outlining his ambition to secure victory with a resounding margin exceeding 10 lakh votes.
Joshi's selection came after the withdrawal of sitting MP Ranjan Bhatt, who had initially been renominated by the party. Recalling the moment of revelation, Joshi recounted being at the musical program with his wife, enjoying a rare moment together amidst their busy schedules. "Until my name was officially announced, I did not even get a phone call that I was being considered as the party candidate," he revealed.
Acknowledging the weighty responsibility ahead, Joshi recognized the significant legacy left by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had previously won the Vadodara seat in 2014 by a historic margin before moving to the Varanasi constituency. Grateful for the opportunity extended to him, Joshi expressed humility and determination in rising to the occasion.
Drawing on his background in education and leadership, which includes a course from IIM Ahmedabad and ongoing pursuit of a PhD in leadership, Joshi aims to rally the support of the constituency's young voters. Despite the formidable challenge posed by the Congress candidate, Jaspalsinh Padhiyar, a former MLA from Padra, Joshi remains optimistic about his prospects.
As the BJP aims to maintain its unblemished record in Vadodara, where it has never lost a Lok Sabha election since 1998, Joshi stands ready to embark on this electoral journey, representing the aspirations of his constituents with vigor and dedication. With all 26 seats in Gujarat set to vote in a single phase on May 7, 2024, the stage is set for a spirited electoral contest.
