It was a historic moment for Indian politics as Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra began her parliamentary journey formally by taking oath as Lok Sabha MP on Thursday, 28 November. Her swearing-in places her firmly in India’s legislative framework and is the first time that three members of the Nehru-Gandhi family have served simultaneously in Parliament after decades.
Priyanka Gandhi wins Wayanad
Priyanka Gandhi had emerged victorious in Kerala’s Wayanad constituency with a big margin of 4,10,931 votes against her rivals, BJP’s Navya Haridas and CPI’s Sathyan Mokeri. This win does not just say much about her political muscle but also the hold Congress has in that area. Wayanad has been a stronghold for the Congress as Priyanka Gandhi has won the seat after Rahul Gandhi vacated it for his sister as he had earlier retained Rae Bareli earlier this year.
Speaking to the media after taking oath, Priyanka Gandhi asserted that she was committed to the task of finding solutions for the major national problems, she said, “Our priority is to uphold the Constitution and work for the nation’s welfare. Nothing is above the Constitution.”
A family legacy in Parliament
The induction of Priyanka Gandhi into the Lok Sabha is an important step in the legacy of Congress. Her mother Sonia Gandhi represents Rajasthan in the Rajya Sabha and her brother Rahul Gandhi as Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Nehru-Gandhi family still remains at the center of the political strategy of the Congress.
Priyanka Gandhi’s entry into Parliament is expected to strengthen the party’s efforts and provide renewed momentum to their campaign for constitutional values and inclusive development. “It will strengthen Rahul Gandhi, the party, and the principles of the Constitution because we are fighting for that,” she added.
Symbolic Swearing-In Ceremony
Priyanka Gandhi donned a traditional cream and gold Kasavu saree as she took the oath in Hindi, brandishing a red and black version of the Indian Constitution. It was an act, she explained, symbolising commitment to constitutional ideals, as well as a commitment of her party to fight for their enforcement.
The oath-taking ceremony was attended by prominent Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, and members of the Gandhi family. Congress MPs filled the Parliament with slogans of “Jodo Jodo, Bharat Jodo,” echoing the party’s unifying message.
Challenges and Aspirations
It comes at a time when the Congress party is struggling to gain momentum again after being overshadowed by all-around intense competition. For Priyanka Gandhi, that focus remains the same- to take up pressing issues of the nation while upholding the constitutional principles above legislative discourses.
Conclusion
Lok Sabha debut by Priyanka Gandhi is not merely personal but a symbolic one for the Congress party and Indian politics as such. Priyanka Gandhi sitting with her family members in Parliament has formed a great chapter of the Nehru-Gandhi legacy, thus laying a strong groundwork for the new political narrative to bloom under the banner of Congress.
Her maiden victory, by a greater margin than that of her brother’s previous win in Wayanad, reflects the surging popularity and expectations her leadership is to command from the coming years.
