Priyanka puts to rest speculation about ex-Cong president Sonia Gandhi’s role in the party after Rahul Gandhi’s elevation as the party president
Even as Sonia Gandhi fueled speculations of her retirement from politics after she said that "my role is to retire", her daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra laid them to rest by saying that Sonia will contest from her Lok Sabha constituency of Rae Bareli in the Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha elections in 2019.
Speaking to reporters, she said there was no question of her contesting or replacing her mother. "My mother (Sonia) will be contesting from Rae Bareli," she said in response to a question. When asked about Rahul Gandhi taking over, she said: "This is a proud moment for me." She was accompanied by her husband Robert Vadra at the ceremony in AICC where Rahul Gandhi formally assumed office as Congress President.
Since the party got a drubbing at the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, an influential section of party workers have been asking Priyanka Gandhi to come back into active politics. They think that Priyanka, who is more charismatic and more energetic, might rejuvenate the party which has seen better days.
Though Priyanka has been active in the election campaign in Rae Bareli and Amethi, the constituencies of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, respectively, she was apparently reluctant to take up any organisational responsibilities. She has also stayed in the shadow of her brother Rahul, helping him formulate strategies and campaigns, and chairing meetings.
On Saturday, as she handed over the reins of the party to her son, and reminisced about the day 19 years ago when she had taken over the party. "On that day, I was very nervous given the challenge before me, and my hands were quavering," said Sonia, speaking of her reluctance to enter politics. She said that her relationship with politics has been a personal one with her husband and mother-in-law being her only connections.
She said that after her husband's assassination, the party held power in only three states. "With all your continued efforts, we regained our strength and one after the other formed our governments in more than two dozen states," she said.
On Rahul taking over, Sonia said that since he is her son, she will not sing praises. "But this much I will say -- from his very childhood, he has experienced violence, and the savage personal attacks he has faced has served to make him a brave man," said Sonia.
Political journey of Rahul Gandhi since 2013
January 2013
Rahul Gandhi is appointed Congress Party’s Vice President at party’s Chintan Shivir in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
May 2014
Party faces a humiliating defeat in general elections with BJP-led NDA winning 335 seats.
September 2017
Rahul gives a speech at University of California, Berkeley where he refuses to accept suggestions that Congress is synonymous with dynastic politics
December 2017
Rahul Gandhi files nomination papers for the post of party president.
December 2017
Congress Party names Rahul Gandhi its new President.
—Compiled by DNA-Research N Archives
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