Robert Vadra (born 18 April 1969) is an Indian entrepreneur, and the husband of Member of Parliament from Wayanad LS Smt. Priyanka Gandhi.[1][2] He is the son-in-law of former Prime Minister of India Shri Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi and the brother-in-law of Rahul Gandhi.
Robert Vadra | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Vadra in 2019 | |
| Born | 18 April 1969 Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Businessperson |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | See Nehru–Gandhi family |
Early life and family
editRobert Vadra was born to Rajendra and Maureen Vadra on 18 April 1969. His father's family is of Punjabi descent settled in Moradabad district, Uttar Pradesh.[3] His paternal family is originally from Sialkot in present-day Pakistan. Rajendra's father moved to India at the time of partition.[4] His mother Maureen (née McDonagh) is of Anglo Indian origin, with roots stretching back to Scotland. Rajendra was a resident of Civil Lines, Moradabad and ran a diamond trading along with brass and wood handicrafts business.[citation needed] Rajendra Vadra has only completed his high school education.[5]
Robert Vadra's brother Richard died by suicide and his sister Michelle died in a car accident in 2001.[6][7] His father was found dead on April 3, 2009 in City Inn, a guest house in the Yusuf Sarai area of Delhi.
Politics
editIn January 2002, Vadra issued a notice in print newspaper distancing himself from his father and brother as they were misusing his relationship with the Nehru–Gandhi family to make money while promising jobs and other favours.[8] Following this, Sonia Gandhi, the then Congress president also issued a notice to all Congress CMs, state unit heads and senior party members to stay away from Vadra and his family.[9]
Until 2012, while Vadra was mostly in the background, he became a target for several opposition parties after the 2012 anti-corruption movement, India against corruption made allegations against him.[10] These allegations got further politicization after several instances of Congress party spokespersons defending allegations on Vadra, stating he was a soft target.[11]
While Vadra is not into INC active politics he has been actively campaigning for his brother-in-law Rahul Gandhi and mother-in-law Sonia Gandhi. In the Lok Sabha elections of 2019, he campaigned actively across India for several candidates.[12] Recently on his 50th birthday, when asked about his intent to join active politics, Vadra stated it would happen 2–3 years later.[13] He mulled a run in the 2024 Indian general election, but did not file nomination.[14]
References
edit- ^ Malik, Aman (8 October 2012). "DLF-Robert Vadra controversy: A news round-up". Mint. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
- ^ "Robert Vadra not new to controversy". Rediff. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
- ^ Bureau, ABP News (15 May 2019). "Priyanka cites husband's root at maiden rally in Punjab; Vadra endorses statement". news.abplive.com. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ Priyanka's father-in-law hanged himself: Police sources. Times of India.
- ^ Anand, Geeta; Roy, Rajesh (18 April 2014). "Behind a Real-Estate Empire, Ties to India's Gandhi Dynasty". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
- ^ Sawhney, Anubha (20 September 2003). "Another tragedy in Vadra family". The Times of India. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
- ^ "10 facts to know about Robert Vadra, the stylish son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi". IndiaTV.
- ^ "Love's Favours Lost | Outlook India Magazine". Outlook (India). Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ "Sonia Closes Door on Vadras". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ Fuwad, Ahamad (1 June 2016). "Robert Vadra: A dark spot in Gandhi family or a soft political target? 5 controversies surrounding the 'Damad'". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ Thomas, Soumya (3 September 2018). "Gurugram land deal case: Congress defends Robert Vadra, alleges 'malicious witch-hunt' by PM Modi". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ "Robert Vadra to campaign for Congress 'all over India'; to accompany Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi to Amethi, Rae Bareli". Firstpost. 7 April 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
- ^ "Robert Vadra celebrates his 50th with family". in.com. Archived from the original on 25 April 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ https://www.thehindu.com/elections/lok-sabha/entire-country-wants-me-to-get-into-active-politics-robert-vadra-on-contesting-elections-from-amethi/article68113469.ece