Clamour growing for bigger role to Priyanka: What will be Congress' next move?

Clamour is growing for bigger role of Priyanka Gandhi within Congress following the failure of party vice-president Rahul Gandhi's methods in recently concluded Lok Sabha poll. A "Priyanka lao, Congress bachao" campaign is making rounds among the party cadre for the last few months. Every day or another, Congress workers come up with posters asking Priyanka to take up more important role in the party.

Priyanka is coming, says new Congress poster

Days after poster urging Priyanka to join politics came up in Allahabad, another banner has come up on Tuesday at Subhash Crossing area which claimed that Priyanka Gandhi will soon be joining the active politics. The poster reads as, "Congress ka Moon, Priyanka is coming soon." The banner carries photo of Sonia and Priyanka along with some local Congress leaders but Rahul's photo was missing from the poster. "Shah ko agar dena hai maat, Priyanka ko saunp do Congress ka haath", read the earlier one.

Another banner came up in May terming Sonia as "'Maiyya" and asking her to command Priyanka to take charge of Congress. Harivansh Rai Bachchan's inspirational verses, was also written on the poster, "Agneepath, Agneepath, Agneepath."

Senior leaders openly rebelling against Rahul's leadership

Last month, senior party leader in Uttar Pradesh, Amir Haidar came out with a 20-page booklet titled 'Bitter Truth' criticising Rahul's leadership. Haidar is one of many Congressman who are upset with Rahul's leadership.

Corruption allegations against her husband may act as a spanner in the wheel

Not only the local leaders but senior party leaders have express their desire to give Priyanaka imporant roles within the party. They are of view that only Priyanka can revive the sinking ship of Congress. Post Lok Sabha disaster, Congress leaders ranging from Sachin Pilot to Janardhan Dwivedi have criticised Rahul's role and way of working.

Priyanka's plunge into politics could put questionmark on Rahul's ability

But the Congress is in dilemma whether to hand over key role to Priyanka or not. As the call for "Bring Priyanka, save the Congress" could put questionmark on the ability of Rahul to lead the party and his acceptability. In fact, there is also a fear that Priyanka could even eclipse Rahul and undermine his position in the party.

On the other hand, the Congress which has been undergoing through major crisis aftermath Lok Sabha poll wants to renergise the party cadre. The party could not afford to take chance just ahead of crucial Assembly polls in five States. To do the same, it needs to reinstill confidence among the party cadre which want to bring Priyanka into the active politics.

Reports about the possibility of Priyanka Gandhi playing a larger role in politics have been surfacing periodically, but so far nothing has happened in this regard. She has only been confined her activities to her mother and brother's constituencies Rae Bareli and Amethi respectively.

Will 'Priyanka factor' make any difference?

Can Priyanka really serve the purpose for Congress and neutralise the 'Modi wave', which is the sole reason for BJP's landslide victory in Lok Sabha poll.

It would not be correct to blame Rahul for failure of Congress in the five Assembly State and Lok Sabha poll. But several other reasons like rampant corruption, inflation, price rise, inefficency of Congress MPs to connect with the people were also few for its humilating victory. So, bringing Priyanka will not do any help unless and until Congress leaders understand meaning of serving to the people.

Moreover, the corruption allegations against her husband Robert Vadra over his dubious land deals may act as a spanner in the wheel.