Sheila Dikshit is likely to be made the CM candidate.
Confusion reigned supreme about Priyanka Gandhi's role in the upcoming UP elections on Tuesday with Congress leaders sending mixed signals. However it is almost certain that veteran leader Shiela Dikshi will be projected as the Chief Ministerial candidate in the key poll-bound state.
At the Congress briefing today, party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala faced a volley of questions on Priyanka becoming the campaign chief of the party in Uttar Pradesh and Dikshit its Chief Ministerial candidate. Not ruling out both the possibilities, his reply was that Ghulam Nabi Azad has given a "blueprint for action" to Sonia Gandhi on Uttar Pradesh and the party would make an announcement whenever a decision is taken.
Surjewala noted that so far Priyanka has been campaigning in Parliamentary constituencies of Amethi and Rae Bareli and it was for her to decide on canvassing support for the party all over the state. He said he would not speculate on the issue. "If and when any decision is taken regarding the role of Priyanka Gandhi, we will share it with the media," he said.However, Ghulam Nabi Azad,refuted possibility of Priyanka Gandhi will becoming the campaign committee chief in UP.
He said to ANI, " If someone is saying that Priyanka Gandhi will be the Campaign Committee Chairman in UP, it is false. If she (Priyanka Gandhi) wants to come in during the elections to campaign, that is different".
Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday asserted herself as the state's "daughter-in-law" she was ready to play any role in the politically-crucial state.
When asked whether Priyanka would participate more actively in Congress' election campaign in UP, 78-year-old Dikshit said she would be a "great asset" and will be "welcomed". "I can't tell you what will happen. It would be too presumptuous on my part to assume things. If she joins she will very welcome because she is familiar with Uttar Pradesh. She will be a great asset," Dikshit said.
Surjewala hailed Dikshit as a "very, very senior and seasoned" leader who has done "pioneering" work as Delhi Chief Minister. "The role and responsibility of any Congress leader is decided by the party President and Vice President", he said adding that as and when a decision is taken, it will be made known.
About possible role given to Dikshit, Azad said
Congress party's election strategist Prashant Kishor is said to be in favour of a Brahmin as the party's chief ministerial face in UP elections and is believed to have suggested Dikshit's name. Kishor, who has been roped in by the Congress to help and assist the party in Uttar Pradesh, has reportedly suggested that if Rahul declines to lead the party in the state, Priyanka, by all means, should.
On Saturday, Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Satya Dev Tripathi had said that Priyanka will step out of her family pocket boroughs of Amethi and Rae Bareli to campaign for the party all over the state. Talk in AICC gaining ground is that Rahul Gandhi would be elevated as Congress President sooner than later. A senior leader said that it could happen even before September.
Only last month, party leader Jairam Ramesh had said in an interview that "Rahul Gandhi is de facto Congress chief but he should become de jure" and make the party battle ready without waiting for anti-incumbency to build up against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Congress is in political wilderness in UP for the past more than 26 years which saw the emergence of Mandal and Mandir issues and the rise of BJP and BSP
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