The political pundits feel that with the renomination of Rita Bahuguna as UPCC president the party high command has sent clear message to all that party would like to take on Chief Minister Mayawati and her party in 2012 assembly elections with full gusto.

The other claimant for the coveted post was Pramod Tewari, Congress Legislature leader for more then 20 years who lost the race due to his close proximity to Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav and chief minister Mayawati and her party BSP.

Never before during the last 20 years any UPCC president got renomination. Even Salman Khurshid, who was made UPCC president twice, had too many years in between the two assignments.

The selection of Rita Bahuguna has made it clear that party would like to fight for UP Assembly elections rather to surrender before opponents. During last three years as UPCC president Mrs Rita Bahuguna has emerged as a fighter who was willing to take on chief minister Mayawati on one hand and Samajwadi Party and BJP on the other.

Mrs Rita Bahuguna paid the price for her attack on chief minister Mayawati. She was arrested and kept in Moradabad jail. It would be worth mentioning here that Rita Bahuguna had raised the issue of atrocities on women and rape victims and low compensation by the government. So much so her house in Lucknow was also put on fire. Several BSP leaders were blamed for arson at Rita's house. After being in jail and her house being put on fire by BSP workers Mrs Rita Bahuguna emerged as a great fighter and shot to fame all over the country. She also scored point when the Congress did well in Lok Sabha polls of 2009 and got 21 seats which nobody expected. Besides AICC general sectary Rahul Gandhi the entire credit for this spectacular victory was given to the leadership of Rita Bahuguna.

During last three years, Rita Bahuguna raised the issue of large scale corruption in the state and continued to attack Mayawati government. As UPCC president, she extensively toured all parts of the state and gained first hand information about the people of state. Political observers opine that never before any state president of Congress toured the state as Rita did during last three years. Rita Bahuguna had also the advantage of the image of her father late HN Bahuguna who was chief minister of UP during 1973 and 1975 and enjoyed tremendous goodwill amongst Muslims. Now the biggest challenge before Rita Bahuguna is to re-organise the party and galvanise the organisation to face 2012 assembly polls.

It was observed that that Rita got the renomination despite the best efforts of her rivals led by CLP leader Pramod Tewari who had been making all sorts of charges against UPCC president without taking her name by describing her as new guest in the party while he never left the party.

Rita Bahuguna also faced opposition from MLAs who were under the control of Pramod Tewari and prominent MPs like PL Punia and Annu Tandon were also known opponents in the party set up. Even AICC general secretary and incharge of UP affairs Digvijay Singh too had been lobbying for Pramod Tewari.

Now Rita Bahuguna has to bring all MLAs, MPs and party workers together to enlarge her support base in the party and face the challenge of 2012 Mission of Rahul Gandhi to capture power in UP on its own. (IPA)