Priyanka Gandhi to take Lok Sabha oath.
For the first time in India’s parliamentary history, the Gandhi family will have three members simultaneously serving as Members of Parliament. With Priyanka Gandhi Vadra taking her oath as the newly elected MP from Kerala’s Wayanad, she joins her brother Rahul Gandhi and mother Sonia Gandhi in the Lok Sabha. This moment marks a significant milestone for the Nehru-Gandhi family, which has played a pivotal role in Indian politics for decades.
Priyanka’s election to Parliament is seen as a crucial development for the Congress party, which has been working to strengthen its leadership and regain political ground across the country. Rahul Gandhi, representing Wayanad before his disqualification earlier this year, was reinstated after a Supreme Court judgment. Sonia Gandhi, the veteran Congress leader and former party president, continues to represent Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh.
Having three Gandhis in Parliament is expected to bolster the party’s presence in the House and enable more coordinated efforts to challenge the ruling BJP on critical issues. The development is also seen as a strategic move to energize the party’s base ahead of the 2024 general elections.
This marks her official debut in electoral politics, following a victory in the recent bypolls. Her entry into the Lok Sabha adds another influential member of the Gandhi family to the Parliament, joining her mother Sonia Gandhi and brother Rahul Gandhi. Priyanka’s victory is significant for Congress, strengthening its presence ahead of the 2024 general elections. Along with her, Ravindra Vasantrao Chavan will also take the oath after winning the Nanded Lok Sabha seat in a by-election.
New Delhi: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who recently emerged victorious in the bypoll for Kerala’s Wayanad constituency, is set to take her oath as a Member of Parliament (MP) on Thursday. Her entry into the Lok Sabha marks a significant moment for the Congress party, as it adds another influential member of the Gandhi family to the parliamentary ranks.
Priyanka’s election to the Lok Sabha not only strengthens the Gandhi family’s presence in Parliament but also places her among a select group of MPs who have at least one Her brother, Rahul Gandhi, represents Wayanad in spirit, having previously held the seat before his disqualification earlier this year. Rahul’s reinstatement as an MP followed a Supreme Court decision, and he now represents Amethi once again. Their mother, Sonia Gandhi, continues to serve as the MP from Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh.
Priyanka Gandhi’s Political Journey
Priyanka’s official debut in electoral politics comes nearly two decades after she actively campaigned for her mother and brother during the 2004 Lok Sabha elections. Back then, she played a pivotal role in the campaigns for Sonia Gandhi in Rae Bareli and Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, garnering significant public attention for her charismatic presence and strong oratory skills. Since then, she has been a prominent figure within the Congress party, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, where she has worked to revive the party’s fortunes in the politically crucial state.
Her victory in Wayanad bypolls is seen as a strategic win for the Congress. The by-election was necessitated after Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from Parliament following a defamation case conviction, which was later overturned, allowing him to return to the House. Priyanka’s entry into Parliament is expected to strengthen the Congress’s voice in the Lok Sabha, particularly as the party gears up for the 2024 general elections.
Ravindra Vasantrao Chavan to Take Oath
Along with Priyanka Gandhi, Ravindra Vasantrao Chavan will also take his oath as an MP on Thursday. Chavan secured the Nanded Lok Sabha seat in a by-election, succeeding with an impressive margin of 5,86,788 votes. The bypoll in Nanded was necessitated by the demise of the previous Congress MP, Vasantrao Balwantrao Chavan.
Ravindra Vasantrao Chavan’s victory is significant for the Congress as it retains a key seat in Maharashtra. Nanded, a Congress bastion, has long been a politically influential constituency. Chavan’s win reaffirms the party’s hold in the region and strengthens its position in the state, where it faces stiff competition from the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP alliance.
Impact on the Congress Party
The simultaneous induction of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Ravindra Vasantrao Chavan into the Lok Sabha comes at a critical juncture for the Congress party. With the 2024 general elections on the horizon, the party is working to consolidate its leadership and present a united front against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Priyanka Gandhi’s presence in Parliament is expected to enhance the Congress’s parliamentary strategy, particularly in debates on key national issues such as economic policies, social welfare, and democratic governance. Her entry is also likely to energize the party’s cadre and supporters, especially in Kerala and Uttar Pradesh, two states crucial for the party’s electoral prospects.
On the other hand, Ravindra Chavan’s victory provides the Congress with a boost in Maharashtra, a state where political dynamics have been shifting rapidly with the formation of the Mahayuti Retaining Nanded ensures that the Congress remains a key player in the state’s political landscape.
Looking Ahead
Their induction symbolizes a renewed push by the party to regain lost ground and assert its relevance in India’s evolving political scenario.
With critical issues such as unemployment, inflation, and social justice dominating the national discourse, the Congress is expected to position Priyanka Gandhi as a key spokesperson on these matters. Her entry into Parliament marks the beginning of a new chapter in her political career, one that could shape the future of the Congress party in the years to come.