But beyond the personal, the significance of Kidwai’s victory lay in how it helped revive the fortunes of the Congress party. AdvertisementA few months after Kidwai’s victory in the Lok Sabha bypoll, Indira Gandhi won from Chikmagalur. Nearly six months later, he vacated his Azamgarh Lok Sabha seat and contested from Nidhauli Kalan Assembly constituency. Janata Party General Secretary Madhu Limaye had visited Lucknow a few days earlier and requested party MLAs to keep calm until the Azamgarh bypoll. There have been many election upsets in Lok Sabha bypolls in Uttar Pradesh, but none as defining as Kidwai’s win.

Source: Indian Express April 12, 2026 07:17 UTC