LUCKNOW: It was a day of candid admissions by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, daughter of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who has taken charge of campaigning for the Assembly polls in the Gandhi family pocket borough.
First, she surprised all by saying that her brother Rahul Gandhi, Amethi MP, is working hard not to become the prime minister, but to give a new direction to politics — politics of compassionate service and not for any post such as the PM. Second, she admitted that she comes to Amethi-Rae Bareli only during the elections which was a matter of fact and she would not hide it.
Priyanka landed here two days ago and launched a hectic campaign to improve the Congress’ tally in the State Assembly from the two Lok Sabha constituencies, represented by Sonia and Rahul.
During an interaction with the media in Rae Bareli on Sunday, she said it was not the appropriate time for Rahul to become the PM as the country was already being led by an ideal and able PM Manmohan Singh. “I believe Rahul was not working for any post or position but to start a new kind of politics which is for the service of the people.”
Priyanka said Rahul had been worried about the miserable state of the Congress in UP and it is due to this that since 2007 he started a determined effort to revive it in the State. “Rahul has rejuvenated the NSUI and the Youth Congress to strengthen the foundations of the party and then he toured the State extensively and stayed among the poor and downtrodden. Now, he is leading from the front to improve the party’s performance,” said Priyanka, adding that she was confident of the party’s improved performance this time. When asked why Rahul would not become prime minister soon, she said if any responsibility was given to him he would perform the duty in a worthy manner, but it is not the ripe time for him to take up the job as yet.