Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took her oath as a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, continuing the tradition set by her brother, Rahul Gandhi, of carrying a copy of the Indian Constitution during significant political events.
Rahul Gandhi has frequently been seen holding a red-coloured copy of the Constitution during rallies and public appearances, as part of his campaign to “protect the Constitution” from what he claims is a threat posed by the Narendra Modi-led government. Priyanka Gandhi, in her electoral debut, followed suit by carrying the Constitution while taking the oath for her newly won seat in Wayanad.
This marks a historic moment, as all three members of the Nehru-Gandhi family—Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi—are now present in Parliament after decades. Priyanka’s entry into the Lok Sabha comes after a resounding victory in the Wayanad bypolls, where she won with an overwhelming margin of 4,10,931 votes.
Wayanad, a Congress stronghold, saw a tough contest among Priyanka Gandhi, BJP’s Navya Haridas, and CPI’s Sathyan Mokeri. The seat was vacated by her brother, Rahul Gandhi, who had secured both the Wayanad and Rae Bareli constituencies in the 2024 general elections. However, he chose to retain Rae Bareli, leading to the Wayanad bypoll.
This election also marks a significant moment for the Gandhi family, as it is the first time in years that all three members have been elected to Parliament together. Priyanka Gandhi, often compared to her grandmother, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, for her striking resemblance and style of speech, has become a key campaigner for the Congress, playing a vital role in party activities well before her formal political entry.
In addition to her oath-taking, Priyanka Gandhi’s victory reinforces Congress’s position in Wayanad, further cementing the family legacy in the region. Rahul Gandhi had previously taken his oath in June, concluding it with the phrase “Jai Hind Jai Samvidan,” a tribute to the Constitution. Priyanka’s symbolic gesture underscores her commitment to safeguarding India’s democratic values, much like her brother’s ongoing mission to uphold the Constitution.
With both Priyanka and Rahul now firmly entrenched in Parliament, the Gandhis’ influence in shaping Congress’s political direction continues to grow.
