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Indian-origin UK MP takes oath on Gita after historic win
Born and raised in Leicester, Raja hails from a family with roots in Rajkot, India, and Kenya.
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An Indian-origin conservative politician in the United Kingdom took her oath as a member of parliament by swearing on the Bhagwad Gita, a Hindu holy scripture.
Shivani Raja, a 29-year-old businesswoman of Gujarati descent, was sworn in after achieving a landmark triumph in Leicester East, which has been a Labour party stronghold for decades. She garnered 14,526 votes, defeating Rajesh Agrawal, the Labour candidate and former deputy mayor of London, who received 10,100 votes.
Raja's victory marked the end of Labour's 37-year tenure in the constituency, signifying a notable political change. In a post on X, Raja posted a video of the swearing-in ceremony.
"It was an honour to be sworn into Parliament today to represent Leicester East", she said in the post. "I was truly proud to swear my allegiance to His Majesty King Charles on the Gita", she added.
It was an honour to be sworn into Parliament today to represent Leicester East.
— Shivani Raja MP (@ShivaniRaja_LE) July 10, 2024
I was truly proud to swear my allegiance to His Majesty King Charles on the Gita.#LeicesterEast pic.twitter.com/l7hogSSE2C
Who is Shivani Raja?
Born and raised in Leicester, Raja hails from a family with roots in Rajkot, India, and Kenya. She is deeply engaged in her family's business, which centers on property construction and hospitality.
Raja's election represents a transformative moment for Leicester East, signifying a change in local representation and political agendas. Her win is perceived as a reaction to local dissatisfaction with past MPs.
According to media reports, her campaign struck a chord with voters who felt marginalized, particularly in the aftermath of the 2022 riots in Leicester. She said, "They had lost faith in politicians as previous MPs had not really stood for the people."
As the newly elected MP, Raja underscored the importance of accountable representation and active community involvement.
UK election results
In the recent general election, the Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, achieved a landslide victory, securing 412 seats in the 650-member House of Commons. This election also saw historic achievements, including the highest number of women (263) and lawmakers of color (90) ever elected to Parliament.
In contrast, the Conservative Party, under Rishi Sunak's leadership, suffered a significant setback, winning only 121 seats.
Following Labour's victory, Keir Starmer assumed office as the UK's new Prime Minister, promising to lead efforts in rebuilding Britain and tackling critical national issues.
In his farewell speech, outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak acknowledged the electoral outcome, stating, "Yours is the only judgment that matters. I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss."
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