New Delhi: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, after playing an active role in forging a Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance, will campaign in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls as a star campaigner, the Congress said today.
In a list of 40 “Star Campaigners”, Priyanka’s name appears along with the names of Congress President Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit who was declared the CM candidate by the Congress before accepting incumbent Akhilesh Yadav as alliance’s CM face, also appear on the list submitted to the Election Commission.
In previous elections, Priyanka has played crucial roles in managing Amethi and Rae Bareli Parliamentary seats represented by her brother Rahul and mother Sonia respectively.
For the first time, the Congress acknowledged the active role played by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Top Congress leaders including Ahmed Patel, Randeep Surjewala and Ajoy Kumar said she played a huge role in forging the alliance with the SP. However, the party was quick to add that she was just following instructions from Congress VP Rahul Gandhi.
"As far as UP elections are concerned, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi requested Ghulam Nabi Azad ji and Priyanka ji for sewing the alliance of progressive, like- minded parties," Congress spokesperson Ajoy Kumar said when asked about the role she played in bringing about the tie-up in UP.
Party sources said that she could also share stage with Akhilesh Yadav’s wife Dimple Yadav, with whom she has a good rapport.
Sources said that even some Samajwadi Party leaders are enthusiastic about having Priyanka campaign in their constituencies.
The other high-profile star campaigners named by the Congress include UPCC Chief Raj Babbar, Congress National General Secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, Janardan Dwivedi, Ahmed Patel, Kamal Nath, Pramod Tiwari, Mukul Vasnik and Sanjay Singh.
The list also names Pradip Mathur, Nirmal Khatri, P.L. Punia, Ashok Gehlot, Bhupendra Singh Hudda, Salman Khursheed, Kumari Shailja, Randeep Singh Surjewala, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Manish Tiwari, Rajeev Shukla, Sachin Pilot, Deepender Singh Hooda, Shakil Ahmad, R.P.N. Singh, Naseeb Singh, Shobha Oza, Zuber Khan, Rana Goswami, Avinash Pandey and film actress Naghma.
