NEW DELHI: Yet another member of the Nehru-Gandhi family has entered Parliament. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra made a resounding debut in electoral politics by winning the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll with an impressive 64.99% vote share. Priyanka polled 6,22,338 votes and won the seat with a huge margin of 4.1 lakh votes – eclipsing the 3.6 lakh figure achieved by her brother Rahul Gandhi earlier this year during the Lok Sabha elections.
Priyanka, who is Congress general secretary, is no stranger to politics as for long she has worked in the family bastion of Rae Bareli and Amethi in Uttar Pradesh – which were represented for long by her mother Sonia Gandhi and brother Rahul respectively. Over the last few years, Priyanka has also been one of the star campaigners of the Congress and has been instrumental in the party’s victory in some key assembly elections.
During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when there was a deadlock between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party over seat-sharing in Uttar Pradesh, it was Priyanka Gandhi who dialed Akhilesh Yadav and ensured that the alliance did not fail. When senior Rajasthan leader Sachin Pilot had rebelled against Ashok Gehlot and was on verge of quitting the Congress, Priyanka had intervened to ensure that he did not leave the party.
Priyanka Gandhi has entered Lok Sabha at a time when the party is struggling to win elections and stay relevant. The gains that the party made in Lok Sabha elections earlier this year has been neutralised with a shocking defeat in Haryana followed by worst-ever performance in Maharashtra.
Here’s a look at the different members of the Nehru-Gandhi family in electoral politics.
The Nehru-Gandhi family has been an integral part of electoral politics from the days of Jawaharlal Nehru, who served as the country’s first Prime Minister and served as PM for …. years. Nehru, who held the office for 17 years, laid the foundation of modern India, a legacy later carried forward by Indira Gandhi, who became the first woman Prime Minister of the country.
India’s first Lok Sabha elections in 1951-52 marked a historic milestone in its democratic journey, with Nehru leading the Congress Party to a sweeping victory. Contesting from the Allahabad’s Phulpur constituency, he won decisively, securing an overwhelming majority that established the Congress Party’s dominance in the nascent republic.
Nehru’s campaign centred on uniting a diverse nation, promoting his vision of a secular, democratic, and progressive India. His speeches struck a chord with voters, addressing key issues like poverty, education, and modernisation. The Congress Party, under his leadership, won 364 of 489 seats, with nearly 45% of the total votes.
Held over five months, the elections saw the participation of 173 million eligible voters, many exercising their franchise for the first time.
From ‘Goongi Gudiya to Iron Lady’: Indira Gandhi’s journey as first female PM
Indira Gandhi, the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru and India’s first female prime minister, made her mark in history not just as a political leader, but as a symbol of strength and resilience. Her journey from being dubbed the “Goongi Gudiya” (dumb doll) to becoming the “Iron Lady” of India is a testament to her evolution as a formidable force in Indian politics.
Indira’s political legacy began in 1967 when she contested her first general election from Raebareli, a Congress stronghold. Her tenure as prime minister from 1966 to 1977 was marked by her transition from a perceived figurehead to a decisive leader. Early in her leadership, Indira faced significant challenges, including the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, internal party dissent, and food shortages. Yet, it was during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War that she truly earned her place in history. Her steadfast leadership in the war, which led to the creation of Bangladesh, cemented her reputation as a tough and unyielding leader, earning her the title of the “Iron Lady” by Henry Kissinger.
Despite her rising popularity, Indira faced intense opposition, both from within her own party and from the opposition. In the early years of her prime ministership, she struggled with public speaking and was often criticized for her inexperience. In 1969, during her first Union Budget presentation, she was so nervous that she could barely read the speech, leading to further criticism. Socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia famously coined the nickname “Goongi Gudiya” to mock her initial hesitance.
However, Indira proved her critics wrong. In 1971, she won the Raebareli seat by a landslide, defeating Raj Narain of the Samyukta Socialist Party by over 1.1 lakh votes. But just six years later, in 1977, she lost the seat to Narain following the controversial Emergency period, when she suspended civil liberties to quell political opposition.
Despite these setbacks, Indira’s legacy remained indomitable. The Emergency, although a highly controversial decision, showcased her resolve to take bold actions in the face of adversity. Her leadership, both during moments of crisis and political upheaval, helped shape the trajectory of India’s democratic journey.
Sanjay Gandhi’s brief but controversial tenure
Sanjay Gandhi, the younger son of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was a controversial figure whose political career, though brief, left a lasting impact on Indian history. He entered Parliament in 1980, but his career was tragically cut short when he died in a plane crash later that year. However, his legacy is largely defined by the contentious events during his life, many of which remain a source of debate and criticism.
One of the most controversial chapters in Sanjay Gandhi’s life was his involvement with Maruti Motors. In 1971, with the aim of providing an affordable car for India’s middle class, the government set up Maruti Motors, with Sanjay becoming its managing director despite having no prior experience in the automobile industry. Maruti’s early years were plagued by criticisms of nepotism and inefficiency, with accusations of corruption surrounding Sanjay’s involvement. The company failed to produce any vehicles during his tenure, and after the Janata Party came to power in 1977, Maruti Limited was liquidated. It was only after his death that the company was revived, eventually leading to the establishment of Maruti Udyog Ltd., which later became Maruti Suzuki.
Sanjay’s role during the Emergency (1975-1977) further cemented his controversial reputation. As Indira Gandhi’s adviser, he wielded significant influence, despite holding no official position. During this time, he became infamous for his heavy-handed approach to governance, including the forced sterilisation campaign. Under his direction, millions of poor men were forcibly sterilised as part of a population control initiative, a move that led to widespread condemnation. It is estimated that over 6 million men were sterilised in a year, many under duress, and thousands died from botched operations. The sterilisation drive remains one of the darkest chapters in India’s population control history.
Sanjay Gandhi also spearheaded the demolition of slums around the Jama Masjid in Delhi. In 1976, under his directive, thousands of homes were bulldozed to beautify the area, displacing over 70,000 people. The demolition led to violent clashes, with police firing on protesters and resulting in numerous deaths. This action was part of his broader, authoritarian vision during the Emergency, which included implementing his own five-point programme, which was often criticised for its callousness.
Rajiv Gandhi’s reluctant entry
Rajiv Gandhi, India’s youngest prime minister, initially hesitated to enter politics, even after the tragic death of his brother, Sanjay Gandhi, in a plane crash in 1980. It was only at the behest of his mother, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, that he reluctantly stepped into the political arena.
Rajiv Gandhi made his parliamentary debut in 1981, contesting and winning his brother Sanjay’s seat in a bypoll in Amethi following Sanjay’s tragic death. This marked his entry into the Lok Sabha. His political rise was rapid, and by 1984, after the assassination of his mother, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv ascended to the office of Prime Minister of India.
Despite his progressive agenda, Rajiv’s tenure was marred by controversies, notably the Bofors scandal and the deployment of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka, which damaged his image. His political career also faced challenges within the family, as his wife, Sonia Gandhi, actively campaigned against Maneka Gandhi, his sister-in-law, during the 1984 elections in Amethi.
Rajiv’s tenure ended with a defeat in the 1989 elections, but he remained a prominent figure in Congress politics, continuing to shape the party’s direction. Tragically, Rajiv Gandhi’s life was cut short when he was assassinated by an LTTE suicide bomber in May 1991 while campaigning for the general elections.
Sonia Gandhi’s dominance in Congress
Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka’s mother, made her electoral debut in 1999 from Amethi, after years of staying away from active politics despite being the widow of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. Her entry revitalised the Congress party at a time when it was struggling to maintain its foothold.
In 2004, she shifted to Raebareli, making the constituency a Gandhi bastion once again. Representing Raebareli in three consecutive Lok Sabha terms, Sonia Gandhi became one of the most influential leaders in Indian politics. Her tenure as Congress president, which spanned nearly two decades, saw her orchestrating critical alliances that kept the party at the forefront of national politics, including the formation of the UPA government in 2004 and its return to power in 2009.
In 2024, citing health concerns and advancing age, Sonia stepped away from Lok Sabha politics. Instead, she filed her nomination for the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan, where she was elected unopposed in February 2024. Her unbroken presence in Parliament reflects her enduring importance in Congress and Indian politics.
Rahul Gandhi’s highs and lows
Rahul Gandhi entered politics in 2004, contesting from Amethi and continuing the family’s legacy in the constituency. He won the seat three times consecutively, securing a stronghold for Congress until 2019, when BJP’s Smriti Irani defeated him. This marked a significant setback for Congress, as Amethi, considered synonymous with the Gandhi name, slipped out of the party’s hands.
To maintain his presence in Parliament, Rahul had also contested from Wayanad in 2019, winning the seat with a comfortable margin. Despite retaining Wayanad, the loss of Amethi was a personal and political blow.
In 2024, Rahul played a pivotal role in revitalising the party, which managed to reclaim Amethi through Kishori Lal, a close aide of the Gandhi family, who defeated Smriti Irani. This victory marked a significant milestone, reaffirming Amethi’s strong connection with the Congress party, even when Gandhi was not in the fray.
Over the years, Rahul has weathered the ups and downs of Congress’s electoral fortunes, including resigning as party president in 2019 following its second consecutive loss in general elections. However, his consistent involvement in grassroots campaigns and his vocal criticism of the ruling BJP have cemented his role as a key opposition leader.
With Priyanka’s entry into Parliament, the Gandhi family’s legacy grows stronger, embodying its resilience and influence across generations.