A Brahmastra can only be used once: Priyanka Gandhi

She is charming, smart, and has a way with people. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is holding fort in the twin constituencies of Amethi and Rae Bareily in central Uttar Pradesh to allow brother Rahul and mother Sonia, respectively, to campaign elsewhere. Locals describe her as the girl with the jaadu ki chhadi (magic wand). But so far Priyanka has firmly scotched all speculation of joining politics.

Why are you campaigning in Amethi and Rae Bareily and not elsewhere?
I'm doing it here for my brother and mother. Since I'm not in politics it would be unfair to campaign anywhere else and get people's hopes up.

But doesn't the Congress also need your help?
I'm sure there are other people campaigning for it. The PM, my mother and brother as well as other senior leaders, everybody is doing all they can. All of us have different duties to perform.

So it's a final no to politics?
Yes, as far as I am concerned.

There are many people in the Congress who view you as the party's Brahmastra (ultimate weapon).
The problem with a Brahmastra is that it can only be used once.

What's keeping you from joining politics? Kids? Family?
We all have different duties to perform and different roles to play. I'm doing what I can in these two constituencies. It's nothing to do with the family. My family would support me if I were to join politics.

There are some signs of the Congress perking up in Uttar Pradesh. What should the party do to take it forward?
I think going it alone in these elections will definitely help us in the future. The organisation is the key. We need to get it into shape. It's been there for many years, but we need to get it ship-shape. We have painstakingly built it up right from the booth level
here and hopefully it will spill over. What Rahul is doing for the organisation is revolutionary and it will help the party tremendously.

Rahul has chosen a strategy that many think will take him a long time to accomplish. Do you agree?
I think he has a great future and tremendous capacity for hard work, and no time for tamashas. The route that he has chosen is the correct one.

Do you see him as the prime minister?
I don't look at him from that angle. I look at him as my brother.

How often do you advise him? It's said that some of the schemes that have been started are your brainchild.
We do discuss among ourselves, but ultimately he takes his own decisions. I did conceptualise and start them, like the women's self-help groups, but he has built on them and taken them forward.

It is said that if Rahul is in trouble and is allowed one call, it would be to you.
It's probably true. But the reverse is true as well.

You grew up in a family with powerful personalities -- your grandmother and your parents. Who has influenced you the most?
Without a doubt my father. In helping me become the person that I aspire to be.

Coming to UP, Mayawati has undercut the Congress base.
Yes, I am aware. The fact is that people have been oppressed for years. But I believe that the way forward is to take everybody along and ensure that all sections of society and the nation develop together.

Lalu Prasad has blamed the Congress for the demolition of the Babri Masjid. He was a close ally. Why is he doing this?
It's all politically motivated. I don't want to say more.