Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to be projected as UP CM candidate
May 02, 2016 15:10
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi could well be made the chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. A demotion for Rahul, who was once the prospective prime ministerial candidate. A path-breaking decision in the history of the Congress party, more specifically for the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty.
Congress' election strategist Prashant Kishore, believes that only bringing Rahul or his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra can help the party to improve its seat tally, which has been reeling in the 20s in recent polls. Prashant Kishore's election campaigns have been generally around personalities and he believes that projecting a face could help to galvanise the party workers.
If the Gandhi scion refuses to be the candidate, then sister Priyanka has to be made the face of the party. If both back out, former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit may have to be considered for the chief ministerial candidate.
Rahul has seen the proposal and has asked for a few days time to think over the offer. State Congress leaders are skeptical about projecting a face in the upcoming elections.
The buzz around Priyanka Gandhi's foray into UP politics has made the women workers of the party excited. The Congress campaign for the UP assembly polls in 2017 will be led by women leaders, a party source said.
"During a meeting last month, Prashant Kishor has suggested that the party to field women candidates against 'bahubalis' (local strongmen) that are fielded by other political parties.
“UPCC president Nirmal Khatri assured us that tickets would not be given to 'parachute-candidates' who join the party at the last moment," said Shobhna Shah, All India Mahila Congeress general secretary and UP Mahila Congress in-charge.
The party feel that the buzz around Gandhi scion Priyanka Gandhi has made party workers enthusiastic.
This might be in line with the party's attempts to reinvent itself, something which may help the Congress ride back to power in 2019.
By Premji