Priyanka Gandhi takes oath as Lok Sabha MP; all Gandhis in Parliament
text_fields
New Delhi: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took the oath as a member of the Lok Sabha on Thursday, marking an important milestone for the Nehru-Gandhi family. Dressed in a Kerala 'Kasavu saree' and holding the Constitution booklet, Priyanka Gandhi was met with enthusiastic cheers and chants of Bharat Jodo as she took the oath.
Accompanied by Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and fellow Congress MPs, Priyanka expressed her happiness upon reaching the Parliament House, saying it was an important moment for her.
Priyanka Gandhi’s victory in the Wayanad bypoll was not only her successful electoral debut but also an achievement for the family, as it marked the first time three members of the Nehru-Gandhi family have been in Parliament simultaneously. Rahul Gandhi, the former Wayanad MP, now serves as the representative for Rae Bareli, a seat he chose to retain after winning both seats in the 2024 general elections. Sonia Gandhi continues to be a member of the Rajya Sabha.
The bypoll in Wayanad was necessitated after Rahul Gandhi vacated the seat, leading to speculation on whether Priyanka could surpass his 2019 victory margin of 4.30 lakh votes. While she fell slightly short of that mark, Priyanka secured a decisive win with a margin of over 4.10 lakh votes. Her campaign, focused on grassroots issues, demonstrated her growing influence within the party and contributed to her strong showing.
Her political debut comes 20 years after she campaigned for her mother in Rae Bareli and her brother in Amethi during the 2004 Lok Sabha elections. Priyanka initially kept a low profile, focusing on her family and personal life, but her connection to the Congress party led her to formally enter politics in 2019 as General Secretary for Uttar Pradesh. Despite her active role in campaigns, the party struggled to make significant headway in the state, and it failed to maintain independent strength there.
Priyanka Gandhi’s entry into Parliament comes at a critical time for Congress, which faces the political dominance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Her presence in the Lok Sabha is seen as adding a new dimension to the party's strategy, particularly in the South, where her victory in Wayanad signals potential opportunities for the Congress to strengthen its position.
While critics may raise concerns about dynastic politics, her supporters point to her strong public engagement and advocacy for grassroots issues. This moment marks a new chapter for the Congress, with Priyanka Gandhi’s role symbolizing hope for revitalizing the party in regions where recent campaigns have shown promise. For Wayanad, her victory signifies more than just an electoral win; it is seen as a fresh opportunity to bolster the Congress’ influence in the South and amplify her political presence on a national level.
With IANS inputs
