Varanasi sets tone for bigger Priyanka Gandhi role

The Congress was sending out a clear signal when it put up posters of Priyanka Gandhi in Varanasi during Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s roadshow. Her posters appearing alongside those of top party leaders suggested that her role would not be confined to Amethi and Rae Bareli. Political commentators see this as a game changer in the coming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls.

“Priyanka will play a role in the UP battle with or without a post. There will not be a problem in creating a post for her,” said a poll strategist.

Mrs Sonia Gandhi had campaigned for the Congress in the 1988 Lok Sabha elections without holding any post. Sitaram Kesri was then the Congress chief.

Priyanka’s picture was seen with Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, the Congress’ chief ministerial candidate Sheila Dikshit, PCC chief Raj Babbar and top party leaders of the party involved in the UP battle, on posters and banners.

Although Mrs Gandhi’s roadshow in Varanasi on Tuesday last has enthused the rank and file in the party and thus made it relevant in the state politically, party leaders are cautious about making an assessment of the Congress’ prospects at this juncture.

“Sonia Gandhi’s road show was a trailer, the main picture will unfold in the coming days,” said the strategist.

“The three-day Delhi-Kanpur bus yatra, undertaken on the banner of ‘27 Saal UP Behaal’, Rahul Gandhi’s interaction with Congress workers in Lucknow in July and Sonia Gandhi’s road show, were part of the party’s strategy, worked out after a great deal of home work amid the exercise of rebuilding the Congress,” the straregist said.

Now, the Congress wants to make the Assembly elections a battle between the two national parties — Congress and BJP.