UP assembly elections: Priyanka Gandhi selects candidates for 1st list

Lucknow, Aug 12: As the Congress President Sonia Gandhi remains unwell and hospitalised, her daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is reportedly calling the shots in the poll-bound Uttar Pradesh.

As per a report published in TOI, Priyanka herself approved the names of 80 candidates for the announcement of first list of contestants in 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls. Most of the sitting MLAs have been given tickets again.

The report also added that Priyanka may begin campaignng from October this year, as Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) is leaving no stone unturned in bringing Priyanka on board to the formal election campaigning.

A senior Congress party leader was quoted as saying, "Priyanka has taken charge of the campaign in UP. She has emerged as a true leader while her mother is ill. Priyanka has ensured that the party's confidence remains up."

He also said that the first list of candidates will be declared by August end. It includes constituencies like Saharanpur and Hapur, that Congress considers "safe and strong" and has good chances.

Meanwhile, the UPCC chief Raj Babbar said, "We all want Priyanka to come to UP and campaign for the party. She has already done a great job for the party in Amethi and Rae Bareli in previous elections."

Since many months, reports are emerging that Priyanka will spearhead the Congress party's campaign in the state.

Earlier, there were reports that the Congress may project Priyanka as its CM face but in July, it projected former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit as its CM candidate in the forthcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.

OneIndia News