It’s official: Priyanka Gandhi joins politics
Priyanka Gandhi appointed Congress general secretary for UP East
Dubai: Gulf News got it right, again! Priyanka Gandhi has officially joined politics as first reported by our columnist, Swati Chaturvedi.
According to a press release shared on Twitter, the Indian National Congress today appointed Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as the party’s general secretary for the Uttar Pradesh (East) region.
Many Indian Twitter users took to the micro-blogging site to discuss what this meant for Congress and how it will affect Bharatiya Janata Party’s chances in the upcoming elections.
In a previous Gulf News article, columnist Chaturvedi wrote that Congress leaders privately refer to Priyanka as their “Brahmaastra” (ultimate weapon) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) overreacts to her, displaying huge nerves. She also mentioned that for the public, Priyanka “has the imperial mien of Indira Gandhi coupled with her father Rajiv’s ease”.
This sentiment was apparent on Twitter.
@Subytweets posted: “Bring it on #PriyankaGandhi. We have missed #Indira 2.0”
And, @jararaz tweeted: “BJPs nightmares just got real!ߘ?#PriyankaGandhi”
Journalist @sagarikaghose posted: “Big move by @INCIndia. #PriyankaGandhi officially enters politics. She’s always had big support among local Congress workers in UP who relate to her more than they do with @RahulGandhi.”
Many others like @naqib_irfan congratulated Priyanka and welcomed her into mainstream politics. The tweep posted: “Greetings, congratulations Priyanka Gandhi Ji. Special thanks to @RahulGandhi ji for appointing Madam Priyanka as @INCIndia General Secretary.”
As soon as the announcement was made, hashtag #PriyankaGandhi became a top trend on Twitter not just in India but also worldwide.
Indian journalist @RanaAyyub tweeted: “#PriyankaGandhi entry is not just about boosting Congress performance in Uttar Pradesh, Modi versus Priyanka is great optics for the General election.”
And @AartiTikoo added: “If dynastic politics is going to prevail in India, which it seems, it will, might as well have smart women from political families. #PriyankaGandhi has always come across as a natural & more vibrant leader than her brother @RahulGandhi. Her entry in formal politics was overdue.”
Popular journalist Barkha Dutt (@BDUTT) observed: “The headline on #PriyankaGandhi misses the mark if it doesn’t underline UP East, where she will run the party campaign - a stronghold of PM Modi in Varanasi and CM Yogi in Gorakhpur. This is a risky but bold frontal challenge and Congress making a big statement.”
However, BJP followers took to Twitter to convey that Priyanka Gandhi’s entry into politics was not a big deal.
Tweep @ChandrahasJogl2 posted: “Everything tried, now Congress is playing its last card! It’s a warning to SP-BSP than anyone else! Days are gone when people will vote for looks. Vadra will haunt her campaign. If she draws some attention, that will only help BJP. NAMO is unstoppable!”
@varunmahajan82 added: “Making #PriyankaGandhi in charge of UP will be of benefit to BJP in a triangular contest, as she can swing votes away from SP-BSP(Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samajwadi Party) alliance but not from the core voters of BJP.”
@NetaMedia suggested: “BJP and @narendramodi should carry on with it’s focus on 70+ seats in UP & should not deviate their campaign and spend time on focussing on #PriyankaGandhi. @BJP4India should look out for opportunities they get with Priyanka Vadra’s entry into politics and not get defensive @AmitShah.”