Priyanka may soon need to take a call on contesting polls
: Is Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra feeling the pressure of deciding whether to contest the 2022 assembly polls or declare herself or any other leader as her party’s chief ministerial candidate in Uttar Pradesh? On Friday, she virtually pitched herself as the Congress’s chief ministerial candidate for Uttar Pradesh. She may soon feel compelled to take a call on the two key issues.
“If it is decided (to contest the assembly election), you will come to know. So far we have not decided,” she said, replying to a question from the media after releasing, along with Rahul Gandhi, the Congress’s youth manifesto at a programme in the backdrop of the playing of the campaign song “Mera job, mujhe milega” (I will get my job) at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in New Delhi on Friday. On who would be the Congress’s chief ministerial face in the 2022 assembly elections, she only hinted that the election is being fought under her leadership though she virtually pitched herself as a contender for CM’s position.
“Do you see anybody else’s face?Then? You can see my face everywhere?” she said to another question from the media. On the other hand, the two main contenders for power, chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, have already decided to contest the 2022 elections from different assembly seats of the state. Both the leaders are also the CM’s face of the BJP and the Samajwadi Party, respectively. Yogi Adityanath will contest from Gorakhpur (Urban) and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav from Karhal, Mainpuri. BSP chief Mayawati has already stated she will not contest the polls herself. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, so far, has parried a direct reply to questions about contesting any elections. Her indirect reply on Friday has raised more questions that she may need to clarify before the 2022 assembly polls.
“Yes, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra should make the position clear. Every party comes out with a poll manifesto. It should also have a CM’s face who should contest assembly elections. This was the tradition which was not being followed for the past nearly 15 years. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath opted to contest the assembly election from Gorakhpur and it was because of this pressure that SP chief Akhilesh Yadav is also contesting the poll. The Congress and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra should come out with their position on the issue,” said Uttar Pradesh BJP spokesman Avnish Tyagi.
For the past 15 years, successive chief ministers have taken Vidhan Parishad route (legislative council), instead of going for a direct election. As chief minister, SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav had contested and won a by-election in 2004 from Gunnaur assembly seat. He also won the Gunnaur seat in the 2007 assembly elections. Political experts feel the Congress may be strengthened if Priyanka Gandhi Vadra decides to contest 2022 polls.
“I feel Priyanka Gandhi Vadra should contest the 2022 polls. If she contests poll and wins the polls, the Congress will get a new lease of life. The Congress has no strong leader of the level of chief minister Yogi Adityanath and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav in Uttar Pradesh. She must try, fight and win,” said Professor SK Dwivedi, former head of department, political science, Lucknow University. She also indicated the Congress was open to possibilities of an alliance in the post-poll scenario in case of a hung assembly.
“We will be open to considering that (post poll tie up) if such circumstances arise. We will certainly want our agenda for the youth and the women to be fulfilled if we are going to be part of any dispensation,” said Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.