Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday took the oath as a Member of Parliament following her decisive win in Kerala’s Wayanad in the by-election held on November 20.
The 52-year-old Congress leader, who joins her mother Sonia Gandhi and brother Rahul Gandhi in Parliament, took the oath in Hindi while holding a copy of the Constitution as the House convened. This marks a rare instance of three members of the same family serving in Parliament at the same time.
Ravindra Chavan, who won the Nanded bypoll, also took his oath in Marathi, dedicating it to God. The by-election in Nanded was held following the death of his father, Vasantrao Chavan.
Priyanka Gandhi’s political journey began in 2019 when she was appointed Congress General Secretary. Now, five years later, she embarks on her first term as an elected representative. She won the Wayanad seat by a margin of more than 4.1 lakh votes, surpassing her brother Rahul Gandhi’s margin from the 2024 general elections.
Her entry into Parliament comes at a challenging time for the Congress party, which has faced electoral setbacks in Haryana and Maharashtra. Priyanka’s leadership could be key in revitalising the party as it navigates through these challenges.
Often compared to her grandmother, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, for their physical resemblance and speaking style, Priyanka Gandhi has been a prominent campaigner for the Congress party since her entry into active politics, having also campaigned for her mother Sonia and brother Rahul in the past.
Congress leaders from Wayanad handed over her election certificate to Priyanka on Wednesday and extended their best wishes. In the by-election, Priyanka defeated Sathyan Mokeri of the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), securing more than six lakh votes.