Samikhsya Bureau
What appears that this time Priyanka Gandhi is really serious and business-like in tailoring her poll strategy for Uttar Pradesh after being on board officially as the general secretary of the All India Congress Committee. Signs are clear that she would walk the talk to see things in politically significant Uttar Pradesh helping the Congress’ rise again. She may have realised that this time around there is a need for transcending family popularity ensuring big bang reforms to be made in a scale that must remain above mere populism.
It will be after long years that the party is looking up to Gandhi with baited breath that her reincarnation can boot the morale of the cadre and people. No doubt that her campaign may also lend credence to the old speculation that she could replace the aura of her mother.
Gandhi, newly-appointed as in charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, is expected to get a grand welcome in Lucknow on Monday on her maiden arrival to the state after joining active politics. She will be on work immediately after reaching the city.
After holding a 12 km long road show in the city of Nawabs, accompanied by her brother and Congress president Rahul Gandhi and AICC general Secretary (UP West) Jyotiraditya Scindia, Priyanka Gandhi is likely to address a joint press conference immediately after reaching Nehru Bhawan, the state Congress headquarters, which had been decked up for the occasion. Congress leaders say that the joint press conference would be addressed by party president Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka and Scindia.
During the road show, which will go through the old city area, the Congress leaders would be welcomed at more than 20 places where they will pay tributes to the statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr B R Ambedkar, Sardar Ballav Bhai Patel, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.
Congress leaders say that she will be working 13 hours a day on her maiden four-day visit. From each Lok Sabha constituency there would be around 20 senior Congress leaders to interact with Priyanka Gandhi, including sitting or former MPs or legislators, district and block presidents, officials of frontal organisations and the leaders wanting to contest the polls.
Her meetings will start from 9.30 am till 11.30 pm with only half-an-hour — from 1 pm to 1.30 pm reserved for lunch. She will be meeting the party workers in groups, constituency-wise from 38 constituencies. She is expected to give one hour time on average to each LS constituency. She is expected to leave for Delhi on February 15 after marathon meetings with party workers for three consecutive days.
Meanwhile, elaborate security has been made for the visit of the brother-sister duo of the Gandhi family, who have SPG protected security cover.
The roads, from where the road show will pass, have been decked up with hoardings of the Congress leaders with big photos of Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. UP Congress president Raj Babbar, is also camping in the state capital for the past two days holding meetings with the Lucknow district committee to review the preparation for the welcome of the leaders and the roadshow.
(With agency inputs)
