Eye on UP polls: Search for Priyanka’s office in Prayagraj speeded up
PRAYAGRAJ: Efforts have begun within the Congress to set up the office of party general secretary and its UP in-charge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in the family’s ancestral town of Prayagraj.
The move is being viewed as an effort by the party to boost its chances in the 2022 UP assembly polls and the general elections of 2024, part leaders conceded.
Congress workers are busy hunting for a building or premises which could serve the youngest Gandhi scion’s needs and purposes. Among the probable places is Swaraj Bhawan, the ancestral home of the Nehru family, which is a favourite not only in the minds of state in-charge of the party but also among party workers of the district. Kishore Varshaney, spokesperson, UPCC, said, “Opening an office in Prayagraj and Priyanka Gandhi being actively involved in the functioning of the office will give a major boost to the morale of party workers in the coming elections. Her presence in the district will have a positive impact not only in Phulpur LS seat – former PM Jawaharlal Nehru’s seat which even she can contest – but also in entire Purvanchal (East UP) region.”
However, there are hiccups in Swaraj Bhawan being chosen as the office. Senior Congress leader Pramod Tiwari did not openly accept that the party was on the hunt for a office premises for the state in-charge here in Prayagraj but said, “There has been a zonal office here at Prayagraj which was active during elections and would again be prior to the next elections. Priyanka Gandhi can visit the city more frequently and stay at Swaraj Bhawan, meet party workers or common public but she cannot open an office at Swaraj Bhawan as the property belongs to a trust and cannot be used for political activities.”
During Mauni Amavasya, Priyanka had generated a lot of interest by taking a dip in the Sangam waters. So, it is only natural that she wants to make Prayagraj the main centre for the 2022 assembly elections, he maintained. Tiwari acknowledged that her active involvement in party’s activities in Prayagraj will have immense positive implications in the state and general elections.
A party office-bearer, requesting anonymity, said half a dozen buildings have been inspected and short-listed that could serve as her office. A building with a seating arrangement of at least 500 people is being searched for and preference will be given to buildings having at least 10 to 12 rooms, he added. He said that there will also be arrangements for Priyanka Gandhi’s stay in this rented building. The building will be selected soon. It is believed that the office could be inaugurated during the auspicious period of Chaitra Navratra starting April 13 and ending on April 22, party leaders said.