Find out more details about the biography of Shivani Raja as the 29-year-old Tory leader stepped into the spotlight, solemnly swearing her oath on the Bhagavad Gita as she took her seat in the House of Commons on Thursday
In a post on X/Twitter, Raja shared a video of the swearing-in ceremony, which is making rounds on social media platforms.
What Did Shivani Raja’s Post Read?
“It was an honor to be sworn into Parliament today to represent Leicester East,” she said in the post. “I was truly proud to swear my allegiance to His Majesty King Charles on the Gita,” she added.
Who is UK MP Shivani Raja, biography, age, family, parents, religion, Instagram, nationality, country and education
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
Her triumph was not just personal but historic, marking a seismic shift in the Leicester East constituency, a longstanding Labour Party bastion that hadn’t seen a Tory elected in 37 years.
Following the UK’s transformative election, a wave of new MPs flooded Parliament, including 23 of Indian origin.
Apart from Raja, Bob Blackman MP from Harrow East, and opposition leader Rishi Sunak also took their oaths on the Bhagavad Gita.
So, who is Shivani Raja as social media user’s are currently busy praising her act. Let’s find out together!
About Shivani Raja
For the curious, 29 year old Shivani Raja, born in 1994, hails from Leicester. Her father, is a Gujarati businessman, who emigrated from Kenya in the 1970s. Speaking about her mother, she hails from Rajkot.
The couple settled in Rushey Mead, Leicestershire. Raja graduated from De Montfort University with a degree in Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science.
Championing our boys tonight!!🏴 pic.twitter.com/ZQJeNI0inf
— Shivani Raja MP (@ShivaniRaja_LE) July 10, 2024
Following her graduation, she started working with several major cosmetics brands in England and gain valuable business experience and currently apart from her political activities, Raja is also involved in her family business.
She overseas her family’s business focusing on property construction and hospitality. Her political breakthrough came after she managed to break the Labour Party’s 37-year grip on Leicester East following her victory with 14,526 votes.
She beat her opponent Labour’s Rajesh Agrawal, the former deputy mayor of London, who received 10,100 votes. Shivani is a Hindu by religion.
Raja’s Political Journey
After the election results were announced, Raja emphasized the need for change, declaring on X, “It indeed is time for a change…and that change is Leicester turns blue.”
During her campaign, Raja made significant efforts to connect with the British-Indian community in Leicester. To connect with the Indian community, she appeared in numerous garba dance events.
Additionally, she visited temples to highlight her ties to her Indian roots.
Shivani Raja, a British Hindu Candidate of conservative party won from Leicester East.
She calls herself an unapologetic proud Hindu.
She won a seat where conservatives never won since 37 years.
Sanatan is Rising 🔥 pic.twitter.com/7vQ8BJr5Y3
— Sunanda Roy 👑 (@SaffronSunanda) July 5, 2024
Previously, in 2022, when Leicester experienced clashes between Hindu and Muslim communities following a India and Pakistan cricket match, Raja emerged as a bold voice.
She pointed out that people were “disappointed” and had “lost faith in politicians” as the previous MPs did not stand by them during riots and “immediately blamed Hindus before speaking to anyone.” But as she decided to contest elections, people saw her as a “breath of fresh air.”
According to Raja’s website, she aims to improve streets, roads, and hospitals, enhance community cohesion, support local businesses, and adopt a tougher approach to illegal immigration as promised by former PM Rishi Sunak.
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