Shivani Raja, a 29-year-old businesswoman of Gujarati descent, made history by securing a landmark victory for the Conservative Party in the Leicester East constituency, ending the Labour Party's 37-year dominance. Contesting against fellow Indian-origin candidate Rajesh Agrawal, Shivani garnered 14,526 votes compared to Agrawal's 10,100 votes.
Following her election, Shivani took her oath in the UK Parliament, choosing to swear on the Bhagavad Gita. Expressing her pride in X, she wrote, "It was an honor 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."
Leicester East, known for its diverse demographics, has had significant cultural tensions, notably after the India vs Pakistan T20 Asia Cup match in 2022. Shivani's victory marks a shift in political representation, as she becomes the first Conservative MP from the constituency since 1987.
Overall, the July 4 general election in the UK saw 27 other Indian-origin members elected to the House of Commons, contributing to a diverse and historic cohort of lawmakers.
