'Priyanka should be in parliament, I want her to be there,' says Robert Vadra as he backs wife's Wayanad run

Robert Vadra declared his support for wife Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is running for the Wayanad seat vacated by her brother and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Vadra stated that he actively pushed Priyanka Gandhi to enter politics and assume a more significant role. "When it is the right time," he said, he will accompany her in Parliament too.

"This time when the decision was being taken, I didn't take no for an answer. It is essential now for her to be in active politics and parliament and not just campaign. She works hard... the slogans she raises 'I can fight' ... if they are taken to the parliament, she'll be able to perform her duties even better," Vadra said.

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He thanked the people for participating in the recent elections and expressed his desire to see Priyanka in Parliamen.

"She should be in Parliament, not because she has been campaigning, but because I want her to be there. She should be in the Parliament before me. I can follow whenever the time is right. I am happy, and I hope people will give her a good mandate," the news agency PTI quoted him as saying.

Vadra emphasised the Congress Party's attempts to solve pressing concerns like religious polarisation, unemployment, women's safety, and inflation.

He gave Rahul and Priyanka credit for their nationwide efforts and acknowledged their leadership in building a stronger opposition.

Vadra commented on the BJP's reaction to recent political developments, saying, "They're worried, troubled. They're huddling together to understand what next we can do. Priyanka will be raising the issues. She gave the slogan - 'Ladki hoon lad sakti hoon.' She fought for women for long. Voices of women will be raised. BJP should look at their history. They can't talk about Parivarvaad. People don't want to hear them anymore. We will fight them and ensure a secular government."

Priyanka's choice to run from Wayanad in the south Indian state of Kerala is a key turning point in her political career. Rahul Gandhi, her brother, decided to hold onto the Rae Bareli seat in Uttar Pradesh, which led her to enter the Wayanad bypoll.

If Priyanka, who has demonstrated her effectiveness as a campaigner, wins, the Nehru-Gandhi family will have three members of Parliament: Sonia Gandhi in the Rajya Sabha and her children Rahul and Priyanka in the Lok Sabha.

The party performed better in the most recent Lok Sabha elections, winning 99 seats.

(With inputs from agencies)