Samikhsya Bureau
Obviously after the recent assembly poll outcomes the things in the Congress have gone under a change. Rahul Gandhi’s body language seems to have gone towards maturity and his language too has gained certain edge and substance. However, he at the same time has not given up matching the tirades of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi as and when required, taking the level of discourse sometimes to a level unacceptable to politics of sophistication at their level.
However, after Priyanka’s arrival in Akbar Road is seen as a climate when the Congress would quickly go for some course correction in which she has a role to play.
With Uttar Pradesh Congressmen working for a grand reception on first visit of Priyanka Gandhi, who will accompany her brother Rahul Gandhi along with Jyotiraditya Scindia to Lucknow on Monday, the new Gandhi scion already started working to revive the oldest political outfit.
But the bigger issue that faces the grand old party is, whether Priyanka will be able to steer the party, now in an euphoric state, from the fog of suspense created by the NDA to deter its visible prospects by hook or by crook.
Sources said here on Friday that soon after taking the charge of the AICC general secretary (incharge of Uttar Pradesh East), Priyanka Gandhi not only contacted all veteran party leaders from Uttar Pradesh to seek their
blessings and guidance, but she also initiated a move to give a big jolt to `Mahaghatbandhan’ particularly Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, who wrote off Congress while forging an alliance with the Samajwadi Party.
Sources said that Priyanka had summoned former number two in BSP, Naseemudeen Siddiqui, who is now in Congress and had discussed strategy for over an hour in New Delhi on Thursday night.
According to sources, Naseemudeen was in touch with several sitting and ex-Legislators of the BSP and also with former MPs, and he is likely to facilitate their entry into Congress on Monday soon after Priyanka will be given a historical welcome here at UPCC office.
Sources also confirmed that Mayawati was well aware of Priyanka’s move, hence she too through his close lieutenant Satish Misha is in contact with former union minister and senior Congress leader, Salman Khursheed, luring him to join BSP and fight as a `Mahaghatbandhan’ candidate from Farukkabad.
Khursheed is also reportedly given a serious thought to the proposal especially as he was presently sidelined in the Congress. Entry of Khursheed in BSP will also give a shot in the arm to Mayawati who is trying to replace Naseemudeen with some prominent Muslim face.
However, a senior leader of Congress claimed that Khursheed is confused as he did not want to part ways
with Congress which had a more say in the national politics in comparison to BSP which had major influence just in UP. Sources said that during their four day stay in UP, both Priyanka and Scindia would also facilitate entry of some senior leaders from Bharatiya Janata Party as well as from Samajwadi Party.
Meanwhile sources also confirmed that just on the eve of visit of Priyanka Gandhi, along with Jyotiraditya Scindia, Rahul Gandhi, who too would accompany them to Lucknow, is also likely to replace sitting state president, Raj Babbar by posting two presidents, one of West and other of East.
The prominent names which are under consideration are Sanjay Singh and Laliteshpati Tripathi for UP East,
PL Puniya and Imran Masood for UP West. Raj Babbar, had already gave his mind to Rahul Gandhi, that he is more interested in giving his time to fight election from Fatehpur Sikri in Agra.
(with inputs from UNI)
