Gandhis, Mulayam Singh Yadav, others take oath

New Delhi: Members of the Nehru-Gandhi family from Congress and BJP as well as SP veteran Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Akhilesh were among those who took oath in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
Congress’ Sonia Gandhi, who has won five elections from Raebareli, took oath in Hindi. Like her son Rahul who took oath on Monday, she affirmed that she will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India.

When Sonia walked up to the mike to take oath, Rahul switched on his mobile camera to capture the moment.

Her sister-in-law Maneka Gandhi was the next one to be called to take oath as she has won from the adjacent Sultanpur. Maneka took oath in the name of God. As she walked past the Congress benches, Rahul was heard giving his best wishes which she acknowledged with a smile.

Maneka’s son Varun took oath before his mother and aunt. The Pilibhit MP also took oath in Hindi in the name of God. Rahul said hello to him and wished him best of luck after the oath but Varun gave a lukewarm response. Sonia and Rahul had thumped the desk when both Maneka and Varun walked up to take oath. Varun shook hands with Akhilesh who was seated on the front bench. Unlike most BJP MPs, Maneka and Varun did not shout any slogans after their oath. Mulayam was allowed to take oath out of turn due to his ill-health.

Akhilesh took oath in the second half.

Mathura MP Hema Malini said “Radhe, Radhe”, while Etah MP Rajveer chanted “Jai Shri Ram”. Most BJP MPs shouted “Jai Shri Ram” after their oath. Salempur MP Ravindra Kushwaha said “Jai Yogi, Jai Modi”.