Priyanka Gandhi Takes Oath As Wayanad MP: Times She Won Women Voters' Hearts

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was sworn in as the Member of Parliament from Wayanad in Kerala. Holding a constitution in hand and clad in the state's traditional white and gold kasuvu saree, she took the oath and expressed, "I am very happy," as chants of 'Bharat Jodo' cheered her on. Priyanka replaces her brother, Rahul Gandhi as he surrendered the seat after also winning Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh. 

Priyanka took to X to share her delight as the Wayanad MP. "My dearest sisters and brothers of Wayanad, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the trust you have placed in me. I will make sure that over time, you truly feel this victory has been your victory and the person you chose to represent you understands your hopes and dreams and fights for you as one of your own. I look forward to being your voice in Parliament!," she wrote.

My dearest sisters and brothers of Wayanad,
I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the trust you have placed in me. I will make sure that over time, you truly feel this victory has been your victory and the person you chose to represent you understands your hopes and dreams and…

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) November 23, 2024

We often see Priyanka giving her opinion on various matters, sometimes behind the podium, sometimes through social media and sometimes standing her ground among the victims of social injustices. Here are the times when she bowled over women voters by standing up for their rights.

Times Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Stood Up For Women's Issues

Priyanka's UP Elections 2022 Manifesto All About Women

Priyanka launched the 'pink manifesto' during the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, promoting women empowerment. The manifesto included 40 per cent reservation of tickets for women candidates, distribution of scooters and mobiles to 12th pass girls, increasing honorarium of ASHA workers in UP and also the launching of Ladki Hoon Lad Sakti Hoon campaign to empower women to fight for their rights. 

When she supported wrestlers in their protest 

In 2023, Priyanka met Olympic wrestlers Sakshi Malik, and now-Congress-leaders Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat, who were the face of the protests against sexual harassment and abuse of power in the Federation. The wrestlers sacrificed their training and competitions to demand accountability and justice. Priyanka said she felt responsible as a woman to stand with the wrestlers. "What’s happened to these women is beyond disgusting," she said.

When She sat On Silent Protest Against the Mishandling Of Women In UP

During the UP elections for District Panchayat President and Block Chief held in 2021, there were cases of violence against women and candidates of other parties. Women filing their candidature were assaulted and the Bharatiya Janta Party politicians were accused of the malpractices. Priyanka Gandhi visited Lucknow in July to organise a silent protest in front of the Gandhi statue against the UP Government for the mishandling of women during the elections.

When She Bore Educational Expenses Of Bihar's Cycle Girl Jyoti

During the 2020 pandemic, the migrant workers faced the brunt. Jyoti came into the limelight when she brought her father back to Bihar from Haryana on a cycle. Her father died on May 31, 2021, due to cardiac arrest depriving her family of the sole breadwinner. During these times, Priyanka came forward to provide financial assistance to Jyoti to continue her and her siblings' education without hurdles.

When She Stood For Activist Disha Ravi

In February 2021, an environmental activist from Bengaluru, Disha Ravi, was arrested by Delhi Police for allegedly circulating a toolkit prepared for the farmers' protest. The same toolkit was shared by environmental activist Greta Thunberg. Priyanka called out the Delhi Police for arresting an unarmed girl who scared them. She demanded her release.

When She Encouraged Women To Speak Up For Their Safety

In October 2020, Priyanka Gandhi tweeted about the rising crimes against women. She called the act of accusing women for such crimes instead of giving them justice as a cowardly act. In another tweet, Priyanka asked women to take their safety in their hands and to end the silence. Her tweets came during the time when India witnessed the heart-wrenching Hathras Gangrape case.

When She Stood Up For The Woman Gangraped In Hathras

Priyanka Gandhi tried hard to personally meet the woman's family. She rapped the UP government as they failed to provide women security. She attended the prayer meeting of the woman to show support to her family. She raised her voice against the mishandling of the case by the government. The character assassination and victim-shaming of the deceased woman were highly condemned and called 'shameless' by the Congress secretary.

Views expressed by the author are their own.