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Robert Vadra

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Robert Vadra
Vadra in 2019
Born (1969-04-18) 18 April 1969 (age 55)
NationalityIndian
OccupationBusinessperson
Spouse
(m. 1997)
Children2
RelativesSee Nehru–Gandhi family

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 fromer Prime Minister of India Shri Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi and the brother-in-law of Rahul Gandhi.

Early life and family

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Robert 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

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In 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

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  1. ^ Malik, Aman (8 October 2012). "DLF-Robert Vadra controversy: A news round-up". Mint. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  2. ^ "Robert Vadra not new to controversy". Rediff. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  3. ^ 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)
  4. ^ Priyanka's father-in-law hanged himself: Police sources. Times of India.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Sawhney, Anubha (20 September 2003). "Another tragedy in Vadra family". The Times of India. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  7. ^ "10 facts to know about Robert Vadra, the stylish son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi". IndiaTV.
  8. ^ "Love's Favours Lost | Outlook India Magazine". Outlook (India). Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  9. ^ "Sonia Closes Door on Vadras". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ "Robert Vadra celebrates his 50th with family". in.com. Archived from the original on 25 April 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  14. ^ 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