Reportedly for many in the congress, priyanka gandhi Vadra is a lucky charm. She did over 60 rallies ahead of the recent state elections and the party thinks her strike rate has been much better than other seniors like rahul gandhi and mallikarjun Kharge among others. So it comes as no surprise that the party wants her to contest the lok sabha elections in 2024. Meanwhile jairam ramesh told, “She is not just our star campaigner. She is a superstar and we would want her to contest in the lok sabha polls. That’s the most natural thing to do, but it’s her decision.”
Furthermore it took a while for priyanka to adjust to her “mainstream political launch”. For years before she was made general secretary incharge of Uttar Pradesh along with jyotiraditya scindia (then in the Congress) in 2019, priyanka would campaign for her brother and mother in Amethi and Raebareli. She spent a lot of time managing her mother sonia Gandhi’s lok sabha constituency. But each time she would be asked when she would take the formal plunge, priyanka dismissed it by saying she had to look after her two children. However, those who know the workings of the congress reveal that she would be part of all key meetings of the party. Particularly when it came to her mother and brother’s campaigns and political strategy, priyanka would be the go-to person. She usually had the last word.
Moreover sources say priyanka felt that taking charge of a state would limit her activities. And being a star campaigner could benefit her as a leader. This, of course, leaves the door open for her to contest. The party will leave it to her to choose a safe seat, say sources. But priyanka being billed as “Indira reincarnated” could work for her in the south and not so much in the north. However, both gandhi siblings contesting from southern constituencies (Rahul is the mp from Kerala’s wayanad seat) would only reinforce the bjp argument that the congress is a “south party”. Himachal is another possibility, say sources. With her no longer being in charge of UP, priyanka is under no pressure to contest from the state. Many in the congress hope that an aggressive priyanka will take on Modi directly in the 2024 lok sabha polls, something rahul gandhi did but without success.
click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel