UP elections may have some surprises: Rahul ruled out as CM, Cong silent over Priyanka

Lucknow, June 14: As the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections inch closer, there has been a growing speculation over the chief ministrial candidate in the state. While Congress has ruled out Rahul Gandhi's role as the CM, it is sitting zipped-mouth on the launch of Priyanka Gandhi as the new face of Congress.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, however, says that the party can come to a decision only after strengthening its footing in the state. He said, "Uttar Pradesh chief minister will be announced at the appropriate time. Rahul Gandhi is our national leader and there is no question of him being made a chief minister."

On popping Priyanka's question, he said, "We will project a Congress face before the polls, but only after getting the party strengthened in the state."

Made in-charge of the Uttar Pradesh affairs Azad said that he would make the people aware of the forces that divide them in the name of religion.

Referring to the Muzaffarnagar riots and the more recent Mathura and Kairana incidents, Azad said that the opposition party is trying to divide the state on the basis of religion.

Blaming the Center for its inefficiency of checking such hate mongers, Azad further said, "On the other side, they (Centre) is providing them assistance. The Centre is itself involved in a conspiracy of dividing people in the name of religion for the vote bank politics."

He also said that several parties are involved in polarisation for the sake of votes.

OneIndia News