UPHOLDERS TO MAKERS OF LAW

It should be a seamless transition for these new MPs from courtroom drama to parliamentary negotiation

- Arkamoy Datta Majumdar, Amarnath K. Menon, Dhaval S. Kulkarni, Rohit Parihar and Jumana Shah

THE DEBUTANTS | LEGAL MINDS

ABHIJIT GANGOPADHYAY, 61

BJP | Tamluk, West Bengal

The former Calcutta High Court judge emerged as a lightning rod in this year’s polls. Justice Gangopadhyay’s resignation from the bench just months before his scheduled retirement to join the BJP ignited a fierce debate on judicial propriety. Known for his contentious rulings, including the high-profile CBI inquiry into Bengal’s cash for recruitment scam, Gangopadhyay became a polarising figure, drawing both bouquets and brickbats. And his poll campaign was marked by controversy too, leading to a censure from the Election Commission for his “improper, injudicious, undignified” comments about Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Given his past as an active member of the theatre group ‘Amitra Chanda’, it’s no surprise that his flair for drama shone during election campaigns.

GOWAAL PADAVI, 31

CONGRESS | Nandurbar (ST), Maharashtra

The son of six-time MLA and former Maharashtra minister K.C. Padvi practised law in the Bombay High Court before his surprise entry into politics. A football fan, his journey into electoral politics was as swift as a goal scored in extra time, initiated mere days before the Lok Sabha election. Yet, the political newbie mounted a spirited campaign, reaching out to voters in remote corners. His diligence bore fruit as the Congress reclaimed Nandurbar from the BJP’s grasp after a decade-long hiatus.

KRISHNA PRASAD TENNETI, 64

TDP | Bapatla (SC), Andhra Pradesh