There is a realisation among Congress leaders that Priyanka strategy to confront with Yogi government on people's issues has succeeded in bringing the party into the limelight.

Continuous confrontation and agitation especially during pandemic, by Congress under the leadership and guidance of Priyanka Gandhi helped party to gain second position in two assembly constituencies out of six contested in recent by-elections.

Congress succeeded in pushing Samajwadi Party to third position in these constituencies.

There was very nominal gain in vote percentage of Congress in these by-elections.

That is why Congress leaders who campaigned in the by-elections feel that the results exposed the weakness of party organisation to capitalise on confrontation of party with Yogi Government on people's issues.

Unless there is substantial change in organisation at booth level, it would be difficult for Congress to take on BJP.

With their social base intact, Samajwadi Party and BSP demonstrated good number of vote share.

Since Congress has no permanent social base, it would have to target social groups on the basis of issues. In absence of any social base, Congress can attract people from different castes on the basis of issues.

With Priyanka as the main face of the party, Congress can mobilise youth under pressure of great unemployment especially during pandemic.

Congress will have to reach out to traditional congress families all over the state to take them along to expand the base to face next assembly polls.

Congress has witnessed large scale exodus from party during recent months which shows the demoralisation in the cadre.

In order to stop exodus, party leadership will have to establish dialogue with the congress masses.

Congress leaders want Priyanka Gandhi to shift to Lucknow as she promised when she took over as AICC general secretary incharge of UP.

There is a feeling in Congress leaders that the party leadership should initiate talks with like-minded secular parties to broaden the base. There is complete unanimity among state Congress leaders that if Priyanka is projected as chief minister then only the entire party would gain the momentum to fight and face 2022 assembly polls. (IPA Service)