Priyanka Gandhi Birthday: The striking resemblance to late grandmother Indira Gandhi

Priyanka Gandhi/File pic

In early 2019, soon after then Congress president Rahul Gandhi announced entry of his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra into politics, the comparison of Priyanka to her late grandmother and former prime minister of India, Indira Gandhi became apparent. Within hours after Priyanka's first road show which was organised in Lucknow, Congress supporters started giving slogans of "Indira is back". In fact, the bus Priyanka was riding in as her first official public appearance, had posters of her against the backdrop of Indira Gandhi.

Priyanka will turn 52 years on January 12 and thanks to the genes and her appearance Priyanka has striking resemblance to her grandmother Indira Gandhi. Priyanka's sarees, her sharp nose, the hairstyle, all remind of Indira Gandhi. "The harder we fall, the stronger we rise, this is what I learnt from Indira Gandhi", Priyanka Gandhi had once said. While Indira Gandhi was the first female prime minister of India, Priyanka Gandhi too has been vocal about women empowerment. "I too am a sister, mother, daughter and a wife, but that's not our identity. We are women, that is our identity," were Priyanka Gandhi's words.

The Congress did ensure to exploit the gene factor, but granddaughter Priyanka is still fighting hard to reach to the level of political influence and public work compared to her grandmother Indira Gandhi.

Responding to her being compared to Indira Gandhi, Priyanka in April 2019 said, "I am not a patch on Indira Gandhi. The sense of public service that she had, I also have the same and my brother also has it. No one can take it out of our hearts. Whether you give us a chance or not, we'll serve you."

Born on January 12, 1972, Priyanka married Robert Vadra, a Delhi-based businessman and the couple have two children. Priyanka regularly visited her mother, Sonia Gandhi's Rai Bareilly and brother, Rahul Gandhi's former constituency Amethi, prior to joining active politics, especially during election campaigns.

After officially entering politics in 2019, Priyanka was appointed as Congress Party's General Secretary in-charge for Uttar Pradesh. In January 2022, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launched the Congress's manifesto for the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election along with her brother Rahul Gandhi. Despite repeated losses of the party in 2019 general election, 2022 Uttar Pradesh state and other several state assembly elections, Priyanka ensured to be politically active. She stages protests against ruling BJP government, especially for women empowerment.

Priyanka has never stood for any state assembly or parliament elections, she actively campaigns for other Congress leaders and also continues her public works. Although, she has been active in politics since 2019, Priyanka's striking resemblance to grandmother Indira Gandhi is yet to reach beyond looks and appearance.