New Delhi: Priyanka Gandhi was sworn in as the Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad on Thursday, marking the end of the initial celebratory phase of her political career. Her victory was anticipated, and she secured it impressively, winning by over four lakh votes.
Dressed in a traditional Kerala saree, Priyanka was welcomed to Parliament with flowers by Congress-led UDF MPs and was the first to take her oath. Notably, she is the only woman MP from Kerala in the Lok Sabha, contributing to the UDF’s total of 18 MPs, while the BJP and CPI-M each hold one seat.
When her name was announced, she received a warm round of applause, and after taking her oath, she greeted her brother Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
Now that the celebrations have concluded, Priyanka faces significant challenges as the MP for a hilly district. Wayanad is grappling with various issues, including inadequate healthcare facilities, ongoing man-animal conflicts, and concerns about night traffic to neighboring Karnataka.
A key point raised by the ruling Left and BJP during their campaigns since 2019 was the need for Wayanad to have a dedicated representative in Parliament, rather than a “tourist MP.” However, these criticisms did not resonate with voters, as evidenced by Rahul Gandhi’s initial win by 4.30 lakh votes, which decreased to 3.60 lakh in April 2024, and Priyanka’s victory margin of 4.10 lakh votes.
One of Priyanka’s primary responsibilities will be to secure the yet-to-be-announced relief package for Wayanad from the central government. Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit for an assessment of the landslide disaster in July, which resulted in the loss of four villages and over 400 lives, no relief package has been announced three months later.
Celebrations were modest in her constituency following her swearing-in, but she is expected to receive a warm welcome upon her return to Wayanad, her first visit since the election. Priyanka had spent 14 days touring her constituency, which spans three districts: Wayanad, Malappuram, and Kozhikode, covering seven Assembly constituencies. After leaving on November 14, just a day after the polls, she is anticipated to return soon to begin her duties as MP.