Meira Kumar will not contest the Lok Sabha poll 2024.
Photo Credit: The Suncity News.
Patna, March 23, 2024: Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, daughter of veteran Dalit leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Babu Jagjivan Ram, has announced that she will not contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
In a post on her official X account on Saturday, Kumar wrote, I have decided not to contest the 2024 general election. I will continue to work for the cause of social justice, inclusive growth and empowerment of women.”
Political journey of Meira Kumar:
Meira Kumar was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 2004 from the Sasaram (SC Reserved) seat in Bihar on the Congress ticket and became a Union Minister.
She retained her seat in 2009 and, during the UPA-2 government, created history as the first woman speaker of the Lok Sabha.
However, she faced defeat in both 2014 and 2019, losing to NDA’s Chedi Paswan from Sasaram.
Legacy and influence:
Known as the political heir of Babu Jagjivan Ram—revered as one of India’s tallest Dalit leaders with a strong base in the Shahabad region—Meira Kumar has long held influence in Bihar politics.
Despite her electoral setbacks, she remains a respected figure in national politics and among Dalit communities.
Meira Kumar’s decision not to contest is being seen as the end of an electoral chapter, though she has emphasized her continued commitment to social causes.
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EOM.