In a notable move among the 195 candidates announced by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the upcoming Lok Sabha 2024 elections, Saket Mishra has been nominated for the Shravasti seat. What sets Saket apart is his lineage as the son of Nripendra Mishra, the former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Saket Mishra’s political journey and background offer a unique narrative in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Saket Mishra, a resident of Deoria with ancestral ties to Shravasti, brings a rich family legacy to his political foray. His father, Nripendra Mishra, served as the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Modi and later assumed key roles, including Chairperson of the executive council of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library and Chairman of the temple construction committee of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
Saket Mishra’s academic journey includes graduating in economics from St. Stephen’s College and pursuing an MBA from IIM Kolkata. Notably, he cleared the UPSC Civil Services exam and became an IPS officer in 1994. However, he later made a career shift, resigning from his post and working in the finance sector, notably at Germany’s Deutsche Bank. His return to Shravasti in 2019 marked a shift towards political involvement and preparation for the Lok Sabha polls.
Despite his earlier bid for a Lok Sabha ticket in 2019, Saket Mishra was not selected. However, the Yogi-led government in Uttar Pradesh recognised his potential, making him a member of the State Legislative Council. Now, with the BJP ticket for the Shravasti Lok Sabha seat, a more significant responsibility has been entrusted to him, reflecting the party’s confidence in his capabilities.
Saket Mishra’s academic background from prestigious institutions and his global experience in the finance sector contribute to his well-rounded profile. His experience in the IPS and subsequent transition to the corporate world provide a unique perspective that may shape his approach to governance and policymaking.
With roots in Deoria and a maternal home in Shravasti, Saket Mishra’s nomination reflects a strategic alignment with his familial and regional ties. This local connection can play a crucial role in understanding and addressing the specific needs and aspirations of the constituents in Shravasti.
Interestingly, Saket Mishra is the grandson of the late politician Pandit Badluram Shukla, a prominent figure in the Bahraich Lok Sabha constituency. Prior to the formation of the Shravasti Lok Sabha constituency, the assembly constituencies of Bhinga and Shravasti fell within the Bahraich Lok Sabha constituency.
Notably, Saket Mishra’s grandfather, Pandit Badluram Shukla, had longstanding political connections in the Shravasti region. The popularity of Badluram Shukla, a renowned advocate from Bahraich, endured due to his contributions to the legal field and his significant presence in Bahraich’s political landscape. Following Badluram Shukla’s era, no one from the family entered politics until now.
Saket Mishra’s political journey from a distinguished family background, coupled with his diverse educational and professional experiences, positions him uniquely as a BJP candidate for the Shravasti Lok Sabha seat. As the political landscape evolves in the lead-up to the elections, Saket Mishra’s nomination adds an interesting dimension to the electoral dynamics, showcasing the party’s commitment to integrating capable individuals with diverse backgrounds into the political fold. The upcoming polls will determine how Saket Mishra navigates the intersection of his family legacy, education, and global exposure in serving the people of Shravasti.
