Congress should stand on its own feet in Uttar Pradesh: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

The leaders of the Lok Sabha constituencies meeting her have strongly opposed any alliances in the Lok Sabha elections and some even showed their annoyance on the proposed partnership with the Mahan Dal.

But interestingly, all the leaders have proposed Mrs Vadra to contest the Lok Sabha polls and even named some of the seats like Fatehpur, Lucknow, Gorakhpur and even Varanasi. But she had refused all, saying that if she contest the polls then her attention on other seats would be diverted.

Priyanka, along with another AICC general Secretary ( UP West) Jyotriditya Scindia , will interact with the leaders on the third day of her visit to Lucknow on Thursday, is expected to address the media to end her visit this evening. She is expected to return back to Delhi on Friday morning.

A senior Congress leader, who was part of the Gorakhpur delegation which met Mr Vadra on late Wednesday night, told UNI here on Thursday that they have suggested that the party should have no alliances and turncoats should be avoided in giving ticket this time.

However, the leader, said that they have opposed on the proposed alliance with Mahan Dal as it would not serve any purpose. " In 2014 too Congress gave five seats to Mahan Dal, but it did not turned fruitful," he said while also placed his point before Priyanka that Om Prakash Rajbhar of the Suheldeo Bharatiya Samaj Party was groomed by the Congress but later he joined the BJP when its popularity grew in eastern UP.

The leader also suggested Priyanka to contest from Lucknow Lok Sabha seat against Home Minister Rajnath Singh, as it will send a message to the voters and it will have impact on the seats like Gorakhpur and Varanasi. " Priyanka said that all leaders are inviting me to contest from their area but I have big task before me to complete," she said.

While talking to the leaders from different Lok Sabha seats, Priyanka informed them that," Rahul had been asking me to take over responsibility of UP since 2015. I kept on denying. Now I have gathered strength to accept the challenge".

She also admitted,"My moving alone and waving at crowds will not covert into votes. You all need to have a robust organisation to convert it in votes." 

She further said even moving through the districts will not ensure votes."built organisation to capitalise on momentum," she commented.

The AICC general secretary said focus on booth level team should be important as booth committees is crucial for wining elections.

Priyanka also expressed annoyance over the big state committee .

"Here in UP you have jumbo sized organisation structure. It's like UNO. It needs to be streamlined/ made more efficient so that responsibilities can directly be accounted for," she commented. She suggested the senior leaders that where ever you want to contest, focus on building the organsiation.

(UNI)