Constitution copy in hand, Priyanka takes oath as MP

PTI, NEW DELHI, NOV 28, 2024 : Holding up a copy of the Constitution, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took oath as a Lok Sabha MP on Thursday to begin her journey as an elected representative of the people, five years after she joined active politics.

The 52-year-old, who joins her mother Sonia and brother Rahul as an MP in what is a rare instance of three members of a family together in Parliament, took the affirmation in Hindi. The MP from Wayanad in Kerala held up a red and black copy of the Constitution, which Rahul Gandhi has been displaying at his public meetings, as she took her oath. Dressed in a cream Kasavu saree from Kerala, Priyanka rose to take the oath amid cheers of "Jodo Jodo, Bharat Jodo" from the Congress benches.

She took the oath with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, her mother and Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chief Sonia Gandhi, husband Robert Vadra, son Raihan, and daughter Miraya watching from the galleries.

Congress MPs earlier met at the CPP office in the Parliament premises, where Priyanka was greeted and congratulated by leaders. After taking the oath, she completed the formalities and then shared a warm hug with her brother and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.

Ravindra Chavan (Congress), who won the Nanded by-poll, also took the oath in Marathi in the name of God. The by-poll was necessitated following the demise of his father, Vasantrao Chavan, recently.

The House was adjourned after the oaths as Opposition members came to the Well of the House and raised slogans, demanding a discussion on the Adani issue and the Sambhal violence.

As MPs exited the House, leaders made a beeline to congratulate Priyanka on the steps of the Makar Dwar. Congress MPs gathered as Rahul clicked a photograph of Priyanka with the Samvidhan Sadan in the background. The Wayanad MP also met the Congress president after taking the oath and took his blessings.