Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra officially joined the Lok Sabha today, marking her debut as an elected representative from Kerala’s Wayanad constituency. Dressed in a traditional kasavu saree and holding a red-bound copy of the Constitution, she was warmly welcomed with chants of “Bharat Jodo” as she took her oath. Priyanka replaces her brother, Rahul Gandhi, as Wayanad’s representative, following his decision to retain the Raebareli seat in Uttar Pradesh. This makes her the third member of the Gandhi family in Parliament, joining her brother and their mother, Sonia Gandhi, who is a Rajya Sabha MP from Rajasthan.

Priyanka’s victory from Wayanad was a landslide, securing over 6.22 lakh votes, a margin that surpassed her brother’s previous record. In her first address to the constituency, she expressed gratitude to the voters, pledging to work tirelessly to fulfill their hopes and dreams. She also acknowledged the unwavering support of her family and Congress party colleagues during her campaign. Her electoral debut, long anticipated, is seen as a critical step for the Congress party, particularly as it looks to strengthen its presence in southern India and engage with women voters.

Her induction into the Lok Sabha comes at a crucial time for the Congress and the opposition INDIA bloc, both of which are striving to challenge the ruling BJP. Priyanka’s presence in Parliament is expected to bring fresh momentum to the party’s strategies, particularly in tourism and economic development for Wayanad. Rahul Gandhi has already challenged his sister to transform Wayanad into Kerala’s premier tourist destination, a move he believes will boost the constituency’s economy. This milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and the Congress party in national politics.