Back In The Limelight : After Days In Wilderness Smriti Irani Makes A Comeback

Picture : ANI/X

When BJP President Nitin Nabin announced the new BJP executive team, one name which made to the headlines was Smriti Irani. Be it the small screen or on the stage of politics, Irani has carved out a distinct identity for herself through her talent and hard work. Irani has been appointed as a National General Secretary of the BJP, the only woman to secure a top slot in the new team BJP.
Irani’s strong comeback as National General Secretary is directly linked to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections due in the state in February-March. The BJP, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is looking to score a hat-trick in the most crucial state in the country. The composition of the new organisational team reflects the BJP’s preparations for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. With 403 Assembly seats, UP has the largest legislative assembly in the country and sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha, making the state crucial to the BJP’s electoral strategy.

Irani expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Nitin Nabin for giving her another opportunity to serve the organisation and the nation. “From an ordinary BJP karyakarta to being entrusted with the responsibility of serving as the National General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party, this journey has been deeply humbling,” Irani said on X.

From an ordinary BJP karyakarta to being entrusted with the responsibility of serving as the National General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party, this journey has been deeply humbling.

I am deeply honoured and grateful to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @NarendraModi ji and BJP…

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) August 17, 2026

The articulate and aggressive Irani can not only take on the Congress led by Rahul Gandhi, but can also challenge Akhilesh Yadav. Uttar Pradesh is not new to her. She first contested a tough election here in 2014 when she challenged Rahul Gandhi for the first time in Amethi, the Nehru-Gandhi family bastion.

She lost that election but did not leave Amethi. She strengthened the BJP at the grassroots on this traditional Congress seat by working on the ground consistently for five years. Her hard work paid off in 2019 when she defeated Rahul Gandhi on his own seat in a direct contest. Smriti Irani’s historic victory shattered the decades-old Gandhi family bastion and established her as a “giant killer” in Indian politics.

However, in the 2024 elections, she faced defeat at the hands of Congress candidate Kishori Lal Sharma. Buzz grew stronger about the fate of her political future. Following this defeat, she had to exit the government and was also not given any responsibility in the organisation. Then Irani made a dramatic return to acting after nearly two decades away from television. She reprised her iconic role as Tulsi Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2, which began airing in July 2025. The comeback brought back one of the most recognisable faces of Indian television to the screen.

Nevertheless, at a time when all political parties are focused on women voters, the BJP can send a big political message through Irani’s comeback. She is an effective orator and can deliver speeches in multiple languages. She is especially popular among women. With Assembly elections just around the corner, bringing her to the forefront at the national level, the party will make a strong push to woo women voters again and consolidate them in its fold.

An aggressive campaigner with excellent oratory skills, State units of the BJP seek Irani’s presence for election campaigning. A great responsibility on Irani’s shoulder indeed.