New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram- Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was sworn in as a Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad, Kerala, on Thursday, marking the culmination of a successful election campaign but the commencement of her challenging role as a representative of the hilly district.

Gandhi, dressed in a traditional Kerala ' settu' saree, arrived at Parliament and was greeted with flowers by Congress-led UDF MPs. She took oath as the first MP of the day, becoming the only woman MP from Kerala in the current Lok Sabha. The UDF now holds 18 seats in the House, with the BJP and CPI-M holding one each.

Her victory, with a margin of over four lakh votes, was a foregone conclusion. This win follows her brother, Rahul Gandhi's, previous victories in the constituency in 2019 and 2024. However, the real test for Gandhi will be addressing the numerous challenges faced by Wayanad, including inadequate healthcare, human-wildlife conflict, and traffic issues.

The ruling Left and BJP had campaigned on the premise that Wayanad required a full-time representative in Parliament, criticizing the Gandhis for their perceived lack of availability. Despite this, Priyanka Gandhi secured a decisive victory, receiving a resounding applause when her name was called out. After taking the oath, she greeted her elder brother Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

One of Gandhi's immediate priorities will be securing the long-awaited Wayanad package from the central government. This relief package, intended to address the aftermath of the July landslides that killed over 400 people, has yet to be announced despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the affected area in August.

Following her swearing-in, celebrations erupted in Wayanad, where Gandhi is expected to receive a rousing welcome upon her first return to the constituency since her election victory. She previously spent 14 days campaigning in Wayanad, visiting all seven Assembly constituencies within the district. Gandhi is expected to arrive in the days to come to take on her duties as MP.