UPSC guru Avadh Ojha faces defeat in Delhi: BJP’s Negi triumphs in Patparganj
Ojha, a celebrated UPSC educator, failed to connect with voters in Patparganj, leading to his defeat against BJP’s Ravinder Negi, despite AAP’s strategic bet on his academic popularity.
Despite his UPSC fame, AAP candidate Avadh Ojha lost the Patparganj Assembly seat to BJP’s Ravinder Negi by over 23,000 votes, marking a tough political debut.
Ojha’s Political gamble falls flat
Avadh Ojha, a well-known UPSC mentor, entered politics by joining AAP in December 2024, stepping in for Manish Sisodia, the three-time Patparganj MLA. Given his reputation in education, AAP hoped to leverage his popularity among Delhi’s youth and Purvanchali voters. However, his campaign failed to gain momentum. Ojha himself acknowledged his lack of grassroots political experience, admitting, "It’s my personal defeat. I couldn’t connect to people."
Who is Avadh Ojha?
Ojha is a household name in UPSC coaching, known for his engaging teaching style and expertise in History, Geography, and Current Affairs.
- Originally from Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, his academic journey includes a BA in History, MA in Hindi Literature, LLB, MPhil, and a PhD.
- Despite failing to clear UPSC mains (2005), he built a successful career in teaching, working with Chanakya IAS Academy, Unacademy, and Barthakur IAS Academy.
- His YouTube channel (Ray Avadh Ojha) has 900,000+ subscribers, while his Instagram following exceeds 2 million.
- In 2019, he launched IQRA IAS Academy in Pune, offering affordable coaching programs.
A Career Marked by Controversies
Ojha’s career has not been without controversy:
- In August 2024, he faced backlash for staying silent when three UPSC aspirants died due to flooding in an IAS coaching center.
- In 2023, a viral video showed him advocating for a 'Modi dynasty' and proposing its inclusion in school textbooks.
From classroom to campaign trail
Ojha’s transition to politics was driven by his vision for education reform. During his AAP induction, he stated,"Education is the soul of every family, society, and nation." AAP insiders revealed that his candidacy was a strategic move to attract youth and Purvanchali voters. Even Arvind Kejriwal endorsed his entry, emphasizing AAP’s focus on bringing professionals into politics.
What’s Next for Ojha?
Despite his defeat, Ojha remains optimistic. He has hinted at launching his own political party by 2028, signaling that his political journey is far from over. For now, his Delhi debut has ended in disappointment, but whether he can stage a comeback remains to be seen.
