Priyanka Gandhi tours Amethi, Rae Bareli to galvanise Congress

In an apparent bid to galvanise Congress after its dismal performance in Uttar Pradesh assembly elections in twin constituencies of Amethi and Rae Bareli, Priyanka Gandhi on Thursday held meetings with party workers here.

On the first day of her two-day visit, Priyanka, who is touring the twin Lok Sabha constituencies for the first time after the assembly elections, held block-wise meetings of party workers up to nyaya panchayat level at Bhuemau guest house and talked about strengthening the organisation and discussed development works, sources said.

"During her 40-minute discussion, she said fresh elections at block level were being held," said a Congress worker from Saraini block after attending the meeting.

He said Priyanka was of the view that meetings should be held at block and nyaya panchayat level every month.

"She said that in development works, priority will be given to villages which have been left behind, and suggested meeting people from the constituency on the second Wednesday of every month in Delhi," he said.

"Priyankaji said if workers have any problem, they should let her know," another party worker said.

The block-wise meeting with workers went on till in the evening and the exercise will be resumed tomorrow.

Earlier in the day, Priyanka assured people in her brother Rahul's constituency Amethi that she would visit them regularly and keep constant touch.

This is Priyanka's first visit after the assembly polls when she had stayed in these constituencies for 17 days. Congress had, however, won only two seats in Amethi while in Rae Bareli it drew a blank.

Interestingly, this time round the entire Gandhi family was present in Amethi and Rae Bareli at the same time.