Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, daughter of Sonia and Rajiv Gandhi, has been sworn in as an MP in the Lok Sabha, following in the footsteps of other members of the Nehru-Gandhi family. She won a landslide victory in the Wayanad by-election, which was necessitated by her brother Rahul Gandhi's resignation. Priyanka Gandhi's entry into Parliament marks a new phase in her political career, which previously focused on supporting her mother in Rae Bareli constituency. She is the third of her generation to become an MP and the eighth female member of the Nehru-Gandhi clan.
Background
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is the daughter of Sonia Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, and the granddaughter of Indira Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. She is a member of the prominent Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty in India.
Entry into Politics
Priyanka Gandhi entered politics in 2019 when she was appointed General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in charge of Uttar Pradesh East. Her entry marked a significant shift in the party's strategy, as she was seen as a magnetic campaigner with strong grassroots connections.
Lok Sabha Election 2019
In 2019, Priyanka Gandhi contested her first Lok Sabha election from the Wayanad constituency in Kerala. She won by a landslide margin of over 3 lakh votes. Her victory was seen as a major boost for the Congress party, which had suffered losses in the previous general election.
Role in Parliament
Priyanka Gandhi has been a vocal advocate for women's rights, farmers' issues, and social justice in Parliament. She has also criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its policies and divisive rhetoric.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's current political role?
She is a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Lok Sabha and a General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee.
2. What is her political ideology?
Priyanka Gandhi follows the ideology of the Congress party, which is based on the principles of secularism, democracy, and social justice.
3. Has she held any previous political positions?
Before becoming an MP, she served as a political advisor to her mother, Sonia Gandhi.
4. What was the significance of her Lok Sabha election victory?
Her victory in Wayanad was seen as a major boost for the Congress party and a sign of her popularity among voters.
5. What are some of the key issues she has championed in Parliament?
Women's rights, farmers' issues, and social justice.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi's planned visit to Sambhal district in Uttar Pradesh faced hurdles from authorities as barricades were placed at the Ghazipur border to prevent their entry. This visit was seen as an attempt to uncover the conspiracy behind the November violence in the district. The Samajwadi Party criticised the visit and called it a mere formality, highlighting the lack of parliamentary discussion on the issue.
India's top court is currently hearing petitions challenging a 1991 law that aims to preserve the character and identity of religious places of worship as they existed on the country's independence in 1947. The law has been a subject of controversy due to its impact on the dispute over the Babri Masjid, which was demolished in 1992. While some argue that the law infringes on religious freedom and secularism, others defend it as crucial in safeguarding the places of worship of religious minorities in a predominantly Hindu country. The court's decision on the issue, expected in February, could have wider implications for religious tensions in India.
A Kolkata court has granted bail to the accused in the rape and murder case of a resident doctor, as the CBI failed to file charges within the 90-day period. The accused, former Principal Sandip Ghosh, still faces charges concerning financial irregularities at the medical college. The High Court has also ordered a probe into the alleged mishandling of key evidence by Ghosh. This comes after backlash over his resignation and immediate appointment as Principal of another college.
The two-day Constitution debate in Lok Sabha, as part of the Parliament's winter session, saw heated discussions between the ruling and opposition parties. With the 75th anniversary of India's Constitution adoption as the backdrop, top leaders from BJP and Congress sparred over constitutional matters. In other news, BJP's nominee Rekha Sharma was elected unopposed in the Rajya Sabha by-election from Haryana, with a promise to empower women.
India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, addressed President-elect Donald Trump's recent statement about imposing tariffs on BRICS nations at the Doha Forum. Jaishankar emphasized the strong relationship between India and the US, particularly during Trump's first administration, and the revival of the QUAD alliance. He also emphasized the positive personal bond between Prime Minister Modi and Trump, and India's stance against de-dollarization. Jaishankar reiterated the importance of the US-India trade partnership and stated that there are no plans for a BRICS currency.
In a significant development, the Supreme Court granted bail to former Rajasthan MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga, who was accused of brutally attacking a Dalit engineer. Malinga, who was a Congress leader at the time of the incident but is now in the ruling BJP, surrendered following the SC's orders. The court has kept his Special Leave Petition pending and scheduled it for further hearing after his surrender. The accused had allegedly abused the engineer and caused him physical harm over a disagreement related to his constituency. The case has sparked controversy, with the state opposing Malinga's bail and the complainant citing concerns of intimidation and influence on public opinion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kickstarted the preparations for Mahakumbh 2025 by inaugurating various developmental projects worth Rs. 5,500 crore in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. These projects, including new roads, flyovers, ghats, and riverfront roads, aim to improve connectivity and provide better amenities for the expected influx of devotees during the event. Additionally, Modi also launched initiatives to clean the Ganga by intercepting, diverting, and treating drains that currently lead untreated water into the sacred river, fulfilling his vision for a "Swachh and Nirmal Ganga."
Following the tragic death of 34-year-old Atul Subhash, his father has come forward claiming that his son was driven to suicide due to ongoing disputes and corruption in the justice system. Atul's wife had filed multiple cases against him and his family, resulting in immense stress and turmoil. The deceased's brother also spoke out, alleging false cases and seeking action against those who mentally tortured his brother. This incident has sparked a larger conversation about how laws and provisions meant to empower women are being misused.
Mamata Banerjee's recent actions in promoting the fast-tracking of the Jagannath temple project in Digha, as well as her decision to select an ISKCON official to be a part of the temple's trustees, have caused outrage and criticism from opposition parties. This move by the West Bengal Chief Minister has sparked a heated political controversy, as some accuse her of using religious sentiments for political gain.
Eluru MP Putta Mahesh Kumar has urged Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to take action on several railway-related issues in the Eluru parliamentary constituency. These include the sanctioning of a new 96 km railway line connecting Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, modernization of Nuzvid railway station, and approval of a broad-gauge line via Sathupalli to connect Bhadrachalam and Kovvur. The MP highlighted the economic benefits of these projects, calling for their inclusion in the Union Budget 2025 and addressing rising construction costs due to delays. Additionally, he proposed halts for several express and passenger trains at various stations in the constituency to facilitate easy travel for pilgrims and boost the local economy.