New Delhi: The Congress is in a fix over whether to project a “face” in the Uttar Pradesh polls against the Samajwadi Party, BSP and BJP, while its key strategist Prashant Kishor is pressing for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
A clearer picture on Ms Vadra’s role will come once the Congress decides if it will fight on its own or as part of an alliance. If the Congress contests over 350 seats, it must do so under a charismatic leader.
The UP Congress wants to project a prominent ‘face’ against CM Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati and the BJP, but it isn’t sure if Priyanka will lead the battle from the front. “It has to be decided by the Gandhi family - Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka, not by the party” insiders said.
“We’ve been out of power in UP for 25 years, haven’t recovered from defeats. Will it be proper to involve Priyanka? If we lose under her leadership, what will happen in the next Lok Sabha election?” one leader asked. The Congress could, however, gain if the BJP messes up the leadership issue as in Delhi and Bihar. If the BJP projects a Thakur “face”, it could prompt brahmins to shift loyalties to either the BSP or Congress.
