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Gandhis likely to lead

LS polls from the front

While Rahul has re-energised Congress, Priyanka’s entry into politics as in-charge of
Hard the party’s East Uttar Pradesh unit has instilled new hopes among members ahead
LIne of general elections, there are reports that Varun Gandhi, may also join them soon

Anil Singh he appointment of Priyanka Gan- new assignment is full of challenges in the
dhi as a general secretary of Indian wake of a depleted party organization and the
National Congress and in-charge absence of a core support base for the party
The columnist is of Uttar Pradesh (East) on January in UP. According to some experts, Congress’s
Executive Editor of T 23 has been greeted by Congress traditional support base in UP amongst
News24 news leaders and workers alike along with some Brahmins, Muslims and Dalits has completely
channel. The views regional parties also joining the chorus. How- drifted away from the party in the last three
here expressed are the ever, the BJP has been critical of this develop- decades — with Brahmins, who constitute
author’s own ment. Undoubtedly, Priyanka’s appointment around 10 per cent of the state population,
puts an end to past years of speculations over supporting BJP; Dalits, who constitute 20
her entry into active politics; nevertheless, per cent of the state population, having been
she has been active in UP politics, leading weaned away by the BSP and Muslims, who
election campaigns for her mother and constitute 18 per cent of the state popula-
brother for the past many years. This new tion have often voted for Samajwadi Party.
role, Priyanka is expected to assume from Interestingly, Priyanka’s appointment comes
February this year, opens the doors for her at a time when the Congress party has been
to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections kept out of the recently-concluded alliance
from a family stronghold in UP amid specula- between SP and BSP.
tions that she may succeed her mother and Priyanka Gandhi certainly faces an
former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi in Rae uphill task of reviving Congress party in the
Bareli. upcoming most crucial Lok Sabha election,
Having conducted a backroom role for the especially at a time when the party is strug-
party and actively nurturing both the Amethi gling to regain salience at the national level in
and Rae Bareli constituencies in UP, enabling the aftermath of its recent electoral victory in
her mother and brother to discharge their three Hindi heartland states of Chhattisgarh,
national responsibilities, Priyanka has been Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Congress
a pillar of strength for the both and even also faces a formidable challenge from the
campaigned for the party during elections. Modi-Shah duo led BJP not only in UP but in
Enthused by Priyanka’s joining hands with other northern states as well. Concurrently,
him in the party work, Rahul Gandhi has Congress leadership is well aware of the fact
In past one year, ruled out the possibility of Congress playing that it cannot mount a serios challenge to the
on the backfoot anywhere when he said the
BJP unless it manages to improve its perfor-
Rahul Gandhi has other day: “I want to say we won’t play on the mance in UP.
The BJP has scoffed at the appointment
rejuvenated the back foot anywhere and will play on the front of Priyanka Gandhi and has called the move
door where ever we get the opportunity. We
party, and with will also work with Mayawati ji and Akhilesh as an admission of failure on the part of
Priyanka joining Yadav where possible to keep the BJP out. That Congress president Rahul Gandhi. Prime
having said, we have to expand the Congress
Minister Modi’s criticism of the Congress
active politics, footprint and have taken a big step in that over dynastic politics has been reechoed by
the two may give direction today.” many senior BJP leaders at the national and
state level. Many BJP spokespersons have
sleepless nights Challenges ahead ruled out the possibility of Priyanka posing
any threat to the party in UP. The BJP has also
As the age-old adage goes that uneasy lies
to BJP top brass the head that wears the crown; Priyanka’s launched its tirade against Priyanka using her

tehelka / 15 february 2019 18 www.tehelka.com