The trends emerging from the Wayanad parliamentary by-election signal a rising tide for Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi, as she continues to strengthen her lead and currently holds over 400,000 votes to her advantage. This marks a pivotal first electoral venture for Priyanka Gandhi, facing seasoned CPI leader Satyan Mokeri and BJP's promising Navya Haridas.
All eyes are glued to the unfolding results — will she replicate her brother Rahul Gandhi's monumental victories? In 2019, Rahul achieved a sweeping success with 431,770 votes, and then again in 2024 with 364,422 votes. Early this year, Rahul Gandhi vacated the Wayanad seat, opting to sustain his presence as a Member of Parliament for Amethi. Priyanka emerges as the tenth member of the Nehru-Gandhi lineage to step into the political arena.
Members of the Gandhi Family Engaged in Politics
Before Priyanka, stalwarts like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Feroze Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Menka Gandhi, Varun Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi have delved into politics. Priyanka will advance her political pathway, commencing from the south of the nation, joining the trail blazed by her grandmother, and former PM Indira Gandhi. She is the fourth woman from the family, joining Parliament following the footsteps of her mother Sonia Gandhi and aunt Menka Gandhi.
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Jawaharlal Nehru
Embodying the essence of India's foundational years, Jawaharlal was not only its first Prime Minister but held office for an extensive period of sixteen years. His political fervor ignited in 1912, although he contested for the first time in the Lok Sabha elections post India’s independence. Nehru's legacy endured from August 15, 1947, until May 27, 1964.
Indira Gandhi
Initiating her political venture as a member of the central working committee of Congress, Indira Gandhi first contested elections from Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli following her father's demise in 1967. She served as the nation's Prime Minister from 1966-77 and then from 1980 until her unfortunate demise in 1984. Her declaration of Emergency remains a discussion point owing to its controversial nature.
Feroze Gandhi
Indira Gandhi's spouse, Feroze was actively involved in India’s freedom movements. Post-independence, he ascended victorious from Pratapgargh-Raebareli on a Congress ticket in the inaugural Lok Sabha elections. Further pursuing Raebareli in 1957, his political endeavors echoed through his active engagement.
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Sanjay Gandhi
Imbued with political passion from a young age, Indira Gandhi's younger son Sanjay dived into the political sprint after returning from abroad. Battling from Amethi in the post-Emergency Lok Sabha elections of 1977, he faced defeat, yet tenaciously reclaimed Amethi in 1980. His storyline tragically halted with a plane crash on June 23, 1980.
Rajiv Gandhi
Venturing into politics after his younger brother Sanjay's untimely demise, Rajiv Gandhi wrote the first chapter of his political history by triumphing the Amethi by-election in 1981. Succeeding as Prime Minister post, Indira Gandhi's assassination in 1984, he led Congress to a historical landslide victory. The legacy was abruptly halted in 1991 when he was assassinated during a poll campaign in Tamil Nadu’s Sriperumbudur.
Menka Gandhi
In 1984, Menka Gandhi embarked on her political path by forming her own party and competing in the general elections from Sanjay Gandhi's constituency, Amethi. Pursuing her political canvas further, she contested and won from UP’s Pilibhit in 1989.
Sonia Gandhi launched into the political journey years after the tragic assassination of her husband, Rajiv Gandhi. In 1997, she embraced primary membership in Congress, assuming presidency in 1998. Her electoral voyage started from Congress’s bastion, Amethi, in the 1999 elections. Moving to Raebareli in 2004, she remained a Parliamentarian from this seat through 2024.
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Varun Gandhi
The entrepreneurial strides of Sanjay Gandhi's son Varun commenced in 2004 from Pilibhit, marking a victorious entry into the Lok Sabha. Following triumphs saw him winning from Sultanpur. In the 2024 elections, however, BJP altered the course, withholding his candidacy from Sultanpur.
Rahul Gandhi
His political debut unfolded in 2004 from Congress's stronghold, Amethi. Earning electoral victories thrice from Amethi, he encountered a setback in 2019, losing to BJP’s Smriti Irani. Though losing Amethi, he clinched a resounding victory from Wayanad that year. With the narrative evolving, Rahul represented Raebareli and Wayanad, savoring victories from both in the celebrated 2024 general elections. Currently, he serves as the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha.
