New Delhi: Priyanka Gandhi, sister of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has been appointed as the general secretary of the grand old party. An official statement released by the Congress also said that Priyanka will also oversee the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, a state that is extremely crucial in deciding who forms the government at the Centre. This long overdue and anticipated organisational appointment in the Congress comes just months before the pivotal 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Priyanka’s appointment is a contrasting move from her previous stand that she is not keen on active politics. Apart from her role in Amethi and Raebareli, the two constituencies where her brother and mother fights from respectively, she has stayed away from politics despite demands from the party cadres.
The party statement talks about other appointments as well – such as that of Jyotiraditya Scindia, who will be taking care of Western Uttar Pradesh, close Rahul aide KC Venugopal as the general secretary (organisation), elevation of Ghulam Nabi Azad to the post of general secretary (Haryana).
This move by the Congress, that is touted to be a masterstroke by some, will surely need the BJP to amend its Uttar Pradesh strategy - in a state that already has four election in-charges appointed by the ruling party.
There are also speculations about whether the time has come when Priyanka will play a more decisive role in the party and prove tough competition to brother Rahul.