Priyanka Gandhi in national role? Search on for UP Congress leadership

LUCKNOW: Several names are doing rounds for the post of state president of Congress amid speculations of an impending reshuffle in the UP unit of the grand old party.

The core of this speculation is the possibility of state in-charge Priyanka Gandhi Vadra assuming a national role in wake of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Popular names like PL Punia, Ajay Rai, Aradhana Misra Mona, Rajesh Mishra, Veerendra Chaudhary, former Uttrakhand CM Harish Rawat and former Rajya Sabha member Tariq Anwar are possible contenders for the post of UPCC chief.

“The national leadership has decided to pitch Priyanka Gandhi as the face of Congress campaign in the upcoming elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Chhattisgarh which will leave her with little time for UP,” said a source adding that this is bound to pave way for a reshuffle in Uttar Pradesh.

Another lobby indicated that she could be made the in-charge of several states all together.

“UP is quite close to her heart and her connect with the parent state may will remain the same and she may even contest elections from Rae Bareli or Amethi,” said an insider.

Another reason being cited for state leadership change is dominance of the BSP turncoat lobby at the UP Congress.

While old timers are uncomfortable with the ‘outsiders’, the new brigade feels that the present position holders have done more harm than good to the party.

“Congress performance in the urban local bodies election speaks for them,” remarked a former Congress MLA.

The Congress secured only 2.37% votes in the last UP assembly election, as against the 6.25% in 2017, and won only two seats.