Priyanka Gandhi Vadra may be hoping to ease Raihan’s path into politics, bringing him to events and preparing him for a political role.
New Delhi: The social media presence of prominent leaders is constantly monitored, and this Diwali, amidst various news stories, attention turned to a photo shared by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on X (formerly Twitter). The image featured Rahul’s nephew, Raihan Vadra, son of Priyanka Gandhi, alongside him. Though Raihan has made occasional public appearances with the Gandhi family, this particular photo sparked fresh speculation, as he appeared in traditional kurta-pyjama attire similar to Rahul’s. The two were seen meeting workers engaged in painting and other labour, leading analysts and opposition members to interpret it as a possible sign of Raihan’s future in politics. Political circles are now abuzz with the possibility of Raihan formally entering politics, particularly as he nears the age of 25, when he would be eligible to contest elections. This raises the potential of the Gandhi family positioning him as a candidate, possibly from a high-profile constituency like Amethi, in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Raihan’s surname, Vadra, could become a point of contention, especially as other parties may leverage it to question Congress’ stance on dynastic politics. Following the recent photo of Rahul with Raihan, BJP urged Congress members to start chanting “Raihan Vadra Zindabad.”
The key question is whether bringing Raihan into the limelight would truly benefit Congress. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Raihan’s mother, reportedly harbours ambitions for her son similar to those of her own mother, Sonia Gandhi, and may prefer for him to enter electoral politics sooner rather than later. Priyanka herself delayed her formal entry into politics, though she had started supporting her family in political affairs at a younger age than Raihan is now. She faced considerable internal challenges within the family before stepping into the political arena and would likely wish to spare her son from the same delays. This intent has been visible as Priyanka often brings Raihan to election rallies and roadshows. He was also seen at the Congress headquarters on the day of the Lok Sabha election results, interacting with the media. Priyanka has been actively preparing Raihan for a political role, with his participation in the Bharat Jodo Yatra and various political events.
Priyanka is now contesting elections from Wayanad, marking her return after three decades, which has raised questions both within Congress and among political analysts. The Congress party finds itself at a critical juncture, with its very survival seemingly at stake. After securing 99 seats in the Lok Sabha, the party saw this as a modest comeback, yet the recent defeat in Haryana has brought a stark reality to light. Congress is once again grappling with its existential crisis.
As elections loom in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, the stakes are high. Failure to secure victories in these states could further erode the party’s standing. With upcoming elections in February in key states like Bihar and Delhi, Congress appears notably absent from the competitive landscape. Meanwhile, Congress-ruled states like Karnataka, Telangana, and Himachal Pradesh are facing mounting economic challenges and relentless attacks from the BJP. In this context, while Priyanka’s prospects in Wayanad seem favorable, Congress is grappling with the broader crisis of repeated losses under Rahul’s leadership. This may lead party members to push for a more prominent role for Priyanka. Although these discussions are currently subdued, it may only be a matter of time before voices within the party call for her leadership. However, doubts linger about Priyanka’s ability to effect change independently of Rahul, given that the party has already tested his leadership. The timing and nature of internal demands from Congress members remain uncertain.
There is also growing interest in Raihan Vadra’s potential entry into politics, with various narratives emerging around his association with the Gandhi family. Discussions have surfaced about possibly adopting “Gandhi” or “Rajiv” in his name, given the historical weight these names carry. However, with the current political climate, it’s unclear whether either name would resonate effectively. Only time will reveal the impact of this association.
Raihan’s surname, Vadra, could also become a point of contention, especially as other parties may leverage it to question Congress’ stance on dynastic politics. The BJP has already begun mocking this development. Following the recent photo of Rahul with Raihan, BJP spokesperson Radhika Khera sarcastically urged Congress members to start chanting “Raihan Vadra Zindabad,” insinuating that Raihan’s political entry has already been set in motion. She questioned how much party rhetoric Congress members would tolerate to maintain their positions, hinting that they may eventually find themselves chanting “Raihan-Raihan” to stay in the party’s good graces.
This situation aligns with the BJP’s longstanding claim that Congress perpetuates a culture of nepotism—a theme the opposition is likely to emphasize. The unfolding events suggest that the BJP’s narrative around Congress’s dynastic politics may resonate with voters, setting the stage for this issue to become a focal point in the coming political discourse.