Ever since the senior Congress leaders at the centre bungled with the issue of corruption and failed in dealing with the movement launched by Anna Hazare, there is a feeling amongst the common Congress supporters that the Gandhi family has to take more interest in running the party and with Sonia Gandhi not in a position to devote full time to the party affairs, it is time that Priyanka also should join active politics strengthening the hands of Rahul Gandhi. Congress needs fresh faces and Priyanka, with her charm, poise and intelligence, is in a position to attract the young voters.

Series of corruption cases under the UPA government and repeated hike in petrol prices as also rampant inflation, have damaged the credibility of the Congress at the centre. There is no doubt that the AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi tried to limit the damage in UP by continuing the fight against corruption and articulating the demands of different sections of the people, but the ground situation is not that comfortable for the Congress in view of the people’s anger over many of the central policies.

Rahul Gandhi had made impact in Bundelkhand when he toured the area and used his influence in getting special package for the development of region. Similarly, Rahul Gandhi extensively toured Poorvanchal and forced central government to announce various schemes for development.

Rahul Gandhi had made dent in the traditional vote bank of Mayawati by spending nights in huts and sharing meals with dalits during last two-three years. Significantly, he had also won the hearts of western UP farmers when he took over their issue of land acquisition by the government and private builders without giving adequate compensation. The padyatra of Rahul Gandhi from Bhatta Persaul to Aligarh on the issue of land acquisition made impact on the farmers of jatland where no senior Congress leader visited during last three decades.

The allegations made by Rahul Gandhi regarding police brutalities in Bhatta Persaul were supported by the inquiry of National Human Right Commission and National Commission for Women. All these efforts were diluted by the mishandling of Anna and his team by certain senior Congress leaders lacking knowledge of ground politics.

That is why the demand is being made by Congress leaders, workers and sympathizers that it was high time that Priyanka Gandhi should be asked to lead the campaign not only to revive the fortune of the party but also achieve Mission 2012 of Rahul Gandhi to capture power.

People of the state including leaders of Congress and rival parties believe that Priyanka Gandhi has the charisma of her grand mother Indira Gandhi who could change the fortune of the party by her presence. People recall how Priyanka helped the Congress candidate Satish Sharma win the Lok Sabha elections through her intensive campaigning.

Again, Priyanka showed her fighting skills when she challenged Chief Minister Mayawati during her previous regime. It so happened that huts of harijans were demolished by the local officials in Sultanpur. Priyanka Gandhi shocked the chief minister Mayawati and her government when she announced to build the huts with shramdhan of Congress workers.

Chief Minister Mayawati was forced to visit the district in a week and announced various schemes for the development of the area. Congress workers are now confident that Priyanka’s joining will galvanise the Congress campaign in the state and impart a big push to the prospects. (IPA Service)