While Congress leaders are yet to come to terms with the new political situation, the consensus among senior leaders in the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) is that Priyanka Gandhi should be drafted into the party and should play an aggressive role to counter the BJP.
They are, however, quick to point out that there is no need to project Priyanka as an alternative to Rahul Gandhi. They believe the siblings can work together to get the grand old party back on track.
A senior leader in the state said that right now as the party had taken a stand, no one is blaming anybody. "However, the day is not far when the demand that party's reins be handed over to Priyanka will be raised.
Sooner or later, that will have to be done to control internal bickering in the party. If the party continues with Rahul Gandhi and his team of advisers, that might upset senior leaders as these advisers have no plans to counter the Modi wave," he said.
Another leader was of the opinion that there was no need for any change of guards, but that Priyanka Gandhi should actively participate in the daily affairs of the party. "Though she need not be projected as an alternative to Rahul Gandhi, both the siblings can work together to strengthen the party. With the assembly polls in the state just 3-4 months away, the Congress leadership in the state is trying to pick up pieces, and is formulating strategies to infuse confidence among party workers," said the leader.
Meanwhile, Sachin Sawant, the MPCC spokesperson, took a jibe at Uddhav Thackeray for objecting to Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif's presence during the oath-taking ceremony in New Delhi on Monday.
Sawant said that even during the Vajpayee government's time Shiv Sena couldn't stop the BJP from extending the hand of friendship to Pakistan. And last week, Uddhav stated that India should sever all ties with Pakistan, including that of cricket. But, instead, Narendra Modi invited the Pakistan PM for the oath-taking ceremony. So even when Uddhav is upset over Modi's decision, he had to be a part of the ceremony, which shows that the Shiv Sena has no control over the BJP.
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