Priyanka Gandhi Takes Oath as MP; Winter Session Disrupted Yet Again

The fourth day of the Winter Session of Parliament witnessed yet another disruption, with opposition protests stalling proceedings in both Houses. Despite a brief session, significant legislative work could not be accomplished, except for extending the Joint Parliamentary Committee's term on the Waqf Amendment Bill.

Priyanka Gandhi Creates History with Maiden Oath

A historic moment unfolded on Thursday as Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took her oath as a Member of Parliament for the first time. Elected from Wayanad, Kerala, Priyanka Gandhi swore her allegiance to the Constitution, holding a copy of it in her hand.

On this special occasion, she donned a traditional Kasavu saree from Kerala, accentuated with golden linings, which garnered widespread attention for its elegance. Accompanied by her brother Rahul Gandhi and mother Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka arrived at Parliament, where Rahul even captured a photograph of his sister, later shared on social media, celebrating the proud moment.

After taking the oath, Priyanka Gandhi expressed her commitment, stating, "I will work diligently for the nation and my party." Wayanad, previously represented by Rahul Gandhi, became vacant after his election from Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli constituency, paving the way for Priyanka’s debut as an MP.

A First for the Gandhi Family

With Priyanka Gandhi’s induction into the Lok Sabha, the Gandhi family now has three active members in Parliament, a rare occurrence in Indian political history. Sonia Gandhi represents Rajasthan in the Rajya Sabha, while Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi serve in the Lok Sabha. Analysts view this as a testament to the family’s enduring influence on Indian politics.

Persistent Disruptions in Parliament

The day’s proceedings in both Houses were marred by opposition protests over various pressing issues, including the Adani Group controversy, violence in Manipur, and incidents in Sambhal. In the Rajya Sabha, AAP MP Sanjay Singh demanded a suspension of business to discuss the Adani issue.

Opposition leaders voiced their dissatisfaction with the government’s reluctance to engage in discussions. Congress MP Pramod Tiwari remarked, "The government appears fearful. Why else would they avoid debates on critical issues? This raises serious concerns about transparency." Similarly, DMK MP Kanimozhi stated, "The government is disregarding crucial matters affecting the people, leaving us no choice but to protest."

Rising Concerns over Parliamentary Stalemates

The repeated disruptions have led to growing concerns over the productivity of the Winter Session. Parliament sessions incur significant costs, and the public often views such standstills with frustration. Experts argue that while disruptions are not new, both the ruling party and the opposition must work together to restore the sanctity of the House.

The Path Forward

With 19 sittings scheduled for this session, the government had outlined plans to introduce 16 bills, including the Waqf Amendment Bill. However, the constant uproar has left much of the legislative agenda untouched. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar have repeatedly urged members to ensure smooth functioning of the Houses.

As the session progresses, all eyes will be on how both sides address this impasse. The need to prioritize meaningful debates and discussions over partisan conflicts has never been more urgent.