“It was an honour to be sworn into Parliament today"
Shivani Raja took an oath in Parliament on the Bhagavad Gita after securing a historic victory in the Leicester East constituency.
The Conservative Party MP ended Labour’s 37-year dominance in the constituency.
She had been contesting against Labour candidate Rajesh Agrawal.
Ms Raja’s victory was marked by a symbolic oath-taking ceremony on July 10, 2024, where she swore allegiance to Parliament on the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita.
On X, she wrote: “It was an honour to be sworn into Parliament today to represent Leicester East.
“I was truly proud to swear my allegiance to His Majesty King Charles on the Gita.”
Ms Raja’s ceremony was praised by netizens for incorporating her Indian heritage into her oath.
One said: “May Bhagavad Gita enlighten you to govern in the best possible manner.”
Another wrote: “Shivani, well done. It’s also good to see that you gave due respect to our holy scriptures.”
A third said it was nice to see her “taking pride in one’s own religion and culture”.
Shivani Raja secured 14,526 votes while Rajesh Agrawal received 10,100 votes.
It was an honour to be sworn into Parliament today to represent Leicester East.
I was truly proud to swear my allegiance to His Majesty King Charles on the Gita.#LeicesterEast pic.twitter.com/l7hogSSE2C
— Shivani Raja MP (@ShivaniRaja_LE) July 10, 2024
Following the general election, Ms Raja and 27 other Indian-origin MPs were elected.
Meanwhile, hundreds of newly elected lawmakers trooped excitedly into Parliament after the UK’s transformative election brought a Labour government to power.
The new House of Commons includes the largest number of women ever elected – 263 – and the most lawmakers of colour, at 90.
Labour secured 412 seats while the Tories secured just 121.
Sir Keir Starmer subsequently became the new Prime Minister and vowed to rebuild Britain.
In his farewell speech, Rishi Sunak apologised and took responsibility for the Tories’ crushing defeat while also stating that he would resign as the party’s leader once arrangements for a successor have been made.
He also reflected on his family and Indian heritage as he concluded his speech:
“One of the most remarkable things about Britain is just how unremarkable it is that two generations after my grandparents came here with little, I could become Prime Minister.
“And that I could watch my two young daughters light Diwali candles on the steps in Downing Street.
“We must hold true to that idea of who we are. That vision of kindness, decency and tolerance that has always been the British way.
“This is a difficult day at the end of a number of difficult days. But I leave this job honoured to have been your Prime Minister.
“This is the best country in the world. And it is thanks entirely to you, the British people, the true source of all our achievements, our strengths and our greatness.”
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