Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi took oath as a Member of Parliament in Lok Sabha on Thursday. The MP, who won from Wayanad in Kerala wore the state’s traditional attire for the swearing-in ceremony. Congress leader Ravindra Chavan, who won from Nanded, Maharashtra, was also sworn in on Thursday.
Priyanka Gandhi won the Wayanad bypolls with a thumping majority. Her mother and Rajya Sabha MP Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and her husband Robert Vadra were present during the ceremony. With Priyanka’s swearing-in, it marks a rare instance of all three members of a family being MPs. She took affirmation in Hindi holding a copy of the Constitution soon after the house met.
Priyanka won the Wayanad bypolls with a huge majority of over four lakh votes against Communist Party of India candidate Sathyan Mokeri. The bypoll was necessitated after Rahul Gandhi, who won from two seats in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, vacated the seat and retained Wayanad. Congress leaders from Kerala met Priyanka in Delhi on Wednesday and handed over her election certificate. The election marks her electoral debut.
Congress leader Ravindra Chavan, who won the Nanded bypoll, also took oath in Marathi in the name of God. The bypoll was necessitated following the demise of his father Vasantrao Chavan.
Soon after the results, the 52-year-old leader thanked voters and said, “I look forward to being your voice in Parliament!” Congratulating her on the victory, Rahul tweeted, “I know she will lead with courage, compassion, and unwavering dedication to transform our cherished Wayanad into a beacon of progress and prosperity.”
Also read
- Not joy but guilt haunts the bitter victor, Nikhil Kumaraswamy mocks Channapatna MLA Yogeshwar
- Who changed the Indian Constitution?
- Kharge blames EVM, raises ‘return to paper ballot’ demand after Congress's rout in Maharashtra Assembly election
- Parliament winter session: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha adjourn sessions amid opposition ruckus over Modi-Adani row
Priyanka is being sworn into the house at a time when the opposition is demanding urgent discussion on relief for Wayanad landslide victims in Parliament. Proceedings of both houses had to be adjourned on Monday after the opposition protested demanding discussion on key issues including the Wayanad landslide, Adani bribery case and Sambhal violence.