New Delhi: Priyanka Gandhi is set to play a larger role in the Congress following its rout in the recent Assembly polls and the emergence of the Aam Aadmi Party. An indication in this regard was available after she attended a meeting of top Congress leaders at the residence of her brother, party vice-president Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday.
“Priyanka’s new role could become clearer after a meeting of the extended Congress Working Committee here,” a Congress official said. Party insiders said Rahul Gandhi was not present at the meeting.
The AICC meeting will be held on January 17 in New Delhi and her presence there could be a morale-booster for party workers against the backdrop of a series of electoral setbacks giving the impression that the party is unsure of victory in the Lok Sabha polls because of inflation, corruption and the political challenge posed by the BJP and regional parties.
“Priyanka is a member of an important political family. Maybe she is not seen participating in active politics, but she has been an ac-tive member of the Congress. She has her own opinions on political issues and has been discussing these with party workers from time to time. What is the matter for surprise if she has talked to senior leaders of the party on these issues,”AICC general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi said.
Priyanka expands her role
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra — who has been confining herself to Amethi and Rai Bareli, the Lok Sabha seats of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and party chief chief Sonia Gandhi, respectively — is expanding her role in the organisation due to political compulsions.
The report of her participating in Tuesday’s meeting of top Congress leaders enthused the rank and file in the party who felt she would check BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi and the AAP.
Those who attended the meeting Sonia Gandhi’s political secretary Ahmed Patel, Union minister Jairam Ramesh and AICC general secretaries Madhusudan Mistry, Janardan Dwivedi and Ajay Maken, and party ideologue Mohan Gopal.
“Priyanka was at the meeting for five minutes. The meeting was called to finalise tour programmes of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi,” a source said. Although it is unclear whether or not Ms Vadra will contest a Lok Sabha seat in the coming general election, the party could play the “Priyanka card” in this electoral battle to check Modi and the regional players. Priyanka Gandhi, who turns 42 next week, is seen as charismatic by many.
