Shivani Raja, of Indian origin, became the first Conservative MP to win the Leicester East seat in 37 years. This victory was marked by a symbolic oath-taking ceremony on July 10, where she swore allegiance to the UK Parliament on the sacred Bhagavad Gita.
“It was an honor to be sworn into Parliament today to represent Leicester East,” the Gujarati businesswoman wrote in a post on X. “I was truly proud to pledge my allegiance to His Majesty King Charles on the Gita.”
It was an honor to be sworn into Parliament today to represent Leicester East.
I was really proud to pledge allegiance to His Majesty King Charles in the Gita.#LeicesterEastpic.twitter.com/l7hogSSE2C
– Shivani Raja MP (@ShivaniRaja_LE) July 10, 2024
Ms. Raja’s swearing-in ceremony was met with praise online.
“May the Bhagavad Gita enlighten you to govern in the best way possible,” commented one user on her post.
May the Bhagvad Gita enlighten you to govern in the best possible way.
– Investment in Indian retail (@IndianInve10186) July 10, 2024
Another said: “Shivani, well done. It is also good to see that you have given due respect to our sacred scriptures.”
Shivani, very good. It is also good to see that you have given due respect to our sacred scriptures. ????
-K Dudakia (@kk_OEG) July 10, 2024
Someone said it was good to see her “being proud of her own religion and culture.”
It’s good, Mrs. Shivani, to see you taking oath to the Gita. Be proud of your own religion and culture ????
—Vaddepally Praveen ???????? ????️ (@VaddepallyPrav) July 10, 2024
Shivani Raja’s significant victory broke the Labor Party’s 37-year hold on the electorate. The 29-year-old polled 14,526 votes, defeating the Labor Party’s Rajesh Agrawal, who received just 10,100 votes. The constituency saw a highly contested election with several high-profile candidates, including former MPs Claude Webbe and Keith Vaz, who ran as independents.
In her post-election statement, Ms Raja acknowledged the magnitude of the task ahead, stating: “It really is time for a change, and that change is Leicester turning blue.”
Indeed, it’s time for a change… and that change is that Leicester goes blue???? pic.twitter.com/XTYqbdFxXU
– Shivani Raja MP (@ShivaniRaja_LE) July 7, 2024
The recent UK elections saw the Labor Party secure 411 seats, while the Conservative Party was reduced to just 121 seats. The Liberal Democrats won 72 seats and the Scottish National Party secured nine seats.
Sinn Fein won seven seats in Northern Ireland and the Democratic Unionist Party won five.
This story originally appeared on Ndtv.com read the full story