Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was, on Wednesday, 23 January, appointed Congress general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East. The move is seen as a masterstroke reflecting the party's intent to go all-out in the politically crucial state.
The Quint’s Neeraj Gupta and Sanjay Pugalia discuss Priyanka's entry into mainstream politics. They discuss everything related to how and why Congress made this move, how the BJP will react, its likelihood of success, and how good of a leader Priyanka can be, ranging from her oratory skills to her connection with the people.
The Quint also discusses the hush-hush around the appointment, even after approaching top sources in the party’s office.
(Also read this story in Hindi on The Quint)
Priyanka, with two children and married to Robert Vadra, has always confined her role to overseeing campaigning in Amethi and Raebareli, the constituencies of Rahul and Sonia Gandhi respectively.
After the SP and BSP kept the Congress out of their anti-BJP alliance for the Lok Sabha polls in the state, the party announced that it will contest all 80 seats in the state.
Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, was appointed AICC general secretary in charge of Haryana, the party said.
Congress said Priyanka will take over as AICC general secretary for UP East in the first week of February.
(With inputs from PTI)
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