Rahul Gandhi Biography: Early Life, Education, Family, and Political Career

Full Name: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi Mother’s Name: Sonia Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi Father’s Name: Rajiv Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi Education: M.Phil in Development Studies from Trinity College, University of Cambridge (1995)

Birth Place: New Delhi

Occupation/Profession: Politician

Rahul Gandhi Political Party: Congress

Designation: Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha; Member of Parliament (Raebareli)

Spouse Name: Single

Rahul Gandhi Political Career

Rahul Gandhi is currently the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha. He was nominated as the Congress Party’s leader in the Lok Sabha and subsequently appointed to this post. In the 2019 general elections, he won from two constituencies—Raebareli (his family’s political stronghold) and Wayanad (Kerala). However, he chose to represent Raebareli in Parliament. A by-election for Wayanad was recently conducted, in which his sister Priyanka Gandhi contested on a Congress ticket.

The eldest child of Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, Rahul has been active in electoral politics for over 20 years. He first contested in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections from Amethi, a seat previously held by his late father and uncle Sanjay Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi served as the President of the Congress Party from December 2017 to August 2019, when he stepped down after the party’s disappointing performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, which were fought under his leadership. In 2013, Gandhi was appointed as the Vice-President of the Congress Party during its Jaipur session.

Although Rahul Gandhi does not hold an official position within the party organization at present, it is well-known that he plays a central role in shaping key policy decisions and works closely with current Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra

To strengthen the party’s agenda and position Congress as an alternative force in Indian politics, Rahul Gandhi launched the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in September 2022. This historic padyatra (foot march), which covered over 6,713 kilometers from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, was hailed by the party and Gandhi’s supporters as a massive success.

During the march, Rahul Gandhi coined the slogan “Mohabbat ki Dukan” (Shop of Love), which became a prominent campaign plank for the party. The yatra took him to various regions, where he interacted with people from all walks of life, including youth, women, political allies, celebrities, and ordinary citizens.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra helped rehabilitate Rahul Gandhi’s image after a series of electoral setbacks for the Congress and attempts by his detractors to malign him using the term "Pappu." The direct contact with the people during the yatra allowed Gandhi to communicate his message and reconnect with the masses, rejuvenating his political image.

Rahul Gandhi and Bhatta Parsaul

Rahul Gandhi's involvement in the Bhatta Parsaul land acquisition protest in 2011 became a key moment in his political career. The protest, which took place in Uttar Pradesh under the Mayawati-led government, was sparked by the state's push for land acquisition for an industrial hub. The farmers in the region strongly opposed this move, leading to violent protests and police intervention, which resulted in several deaths.

At the height of the protest, Rahul Gandhi made a dramatic appearance by riding pillion on a motorbike to reach Bhatta Parsaul and took charge of the agitation, standing with the farmers in their fight against forced land acquisition. This event became a cornerstone of his political identity and marked the beginning of his engagement with public movements on critical issues.

Rahul Gandhi and the Hathras Rape Agitation

In 2020, Rahul Gandhi once again found himself on the streets, leading an agitation that would draw national attention. The Hathras gang rape in Uttar Pradesh shocked the nation. Gandhi, along with his sister Priyanka Gandhi and other senior Congress leaders, attempted to meet the family of the victim.

However, their efforts led to a dramatic confrontation with the police, who attempted to block their entry into the village. Reports claimed that Rahul Gandhi was pushed by the police at the Yamuna Expressway and detained briefly, while Congress leaders were also prevented from meeting the victim’s family. The incident sparked a nationwide debate on the state of law and order in Uttar Pradesh and the handling of such sensitive issues by the government.

Defeat from Family Bastion, Amethi

One of the most surprising and shocking events of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections was Rahul Gandhi’s defeat from Amethi, a constituency that had been a Gandhi family stronghold for decades. Rahul had represented Amethi since his entry into politics in 2004 and had won the seat in 2009 and 2014.

However, in 2019, he was defeated by Smriti Irani, a senior BJP leader, in what was seen as a stunning political upset. While Smriti Irani had given him a tough challenge in 2014, this time she managed to turn the tables and emerged victorious, signaling a shift in political dynamics in the constituency.

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi controversy

Rahul Gandhi’s Disqualification from Lok Sabha (Wayanad)

In the 2019 general elections, Rahul Gandhi contested from two constituencies: Amethi (Uttar Pradesh) and Wayanad (Kerala). While he lost in Amethi, he secured a decisive victory in Wayanad.

However, in 2023, Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from the Lok Sabha after being convicted by a Gujarat court in a defamation case related to the Modi surname. The case, filed by BJP leader Purnesh Modi, led to his conviction and the subsequent disqualification from the Parliament.

As a result, Gandhi was also asked to vacate his official residence on Tuglaq Road, New Delhi. The Congress Party denounced the disqualification as political vendetta and filed an appeal in court, which resulted in a stay on the conviction. This stay led to the restoration of Rahul Gandhi’s membership in the Lok Sabha.

Rahul Gandhi's Net Worth

In his 2024 election affidavit, Rahul Gandhi disclosed assets totaling over ₹20 crore. Among his assets, movable assets are valued at ₹9.24 crore, including shares worth ₹4.33 crore, mutual funds of ₹3.81 crore, a bank balance of ₹26.25 lakh, and gold bonds worth ₹15.21 lakh. His immovable assets are valued at ₹11.15 crore, which includes self-acquired properties worth ₹9.04 crore and inherited assets valued at ₹2.10 crore.