New Delhi: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday took oath as a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha, following her victory in the recent byelection from the Wayanad constituency in Kerala.
Dressed in a traditional Kerala Kasavu saree, Gandhi took the oath in Hindi, holding a copy of the Constitution, shortly after the House convened. Her entry into Parliament marks a significant milestone in her political journey, which began in 2019 when she formally entered active politics and was appointed Congress General Secretary.
With Priyanka Gandhi’s induction, the Gandhi family now has three members in Parliament. While Priyanka and her brother Rahul Gandhi represent constituencies in the Lok Sabha, their mother Sonia Gandhi serves as a Rajya Sabha MP, having chosen not to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The Wayanad seat, previously held by Rahul Gandhi, fell vacant after his disqualification earlier this year, which made Priyanka’s victory crucial for the Congress in retaining its foothold in Kerala.
Gandhi’s parliamentary debut comes at a challenging time for the Congress, as the party faces setbacks from electoral defeats in Haryana and Maharashtra. Her entry has sparked speculation about whether her leadership and presence in the Lok Sabha could revitalize the party’s prospects and provide much-needed momentum ahead of the upcoming general elections.
Her tenure as MP from Wayanad will be closely watched, with party insiders and political observers alike looking to see how she navigates the complex parliamentary dynamics and contributes to reviving the Congress’s national presence.