Priyanka Gandhi: The non-playing captain shaping electoral dynamics

Priyanka faces a formidable challenge as she races against time to build trust among voters in the two neighbouring constituencies. She must counter the underlying Ram Temple sentiment favouring the BJP, while Smriti Irani leverages Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity in the Hindi heartland. With all eyes on her, Priyanka assumes the roles of strategist, orator, and mass mobiliser as she sets up camp in Rae Bareli, determined to enhance her party's prospects of victory in both seats.

At a crowded party workers' gathering in Amethi last week, Priyanka shared the story of a woman in the audience who aspired to educate her daughter despite opposition from her father-in-law. Undeterred, the woman stitched sari falls to finance her daughter's education and successfully saw her through graduation.

Moved by the woman's determination, Priyanka expressed her admiration and invited her to join her on stage. The moment was met with smiles and cheers, transcending mere politics and resonating deeply with the audience.

This event was just one of many instances in recent days where Priyanka has employed a charm offensive, weaving speeches around anecdotes from past elections involving her mother Sonia Gandhi, her brother Rahul, and her own childhood experiences accompanying her father Rajiv Gandhi during his campaigns in Amethi.

In one meeting, Priyanka Gandhi recounted how she fasted for her father's safety after he lost power and was in the opposition. She shared a personal anecdote about her father questioning her decision to observe "maun vrats" on Sundays, revealing that it was the only day he had time to speak with her.

During her well-attended corner meetings, Priyanka occasionally delves into her mother's anguish following Rajiv Gandhi's assassination. She reflects on her mother's diminished smile in the absence of her father, creating a poignant connection with the audience. Her speeches are conversational in nature, fostering a sense of familiarity and intimacy, making her relatable to the people.

This sentiment is echoed in the Congress' social media campaigns, such as #RaeBareliKeRahul, which seek to reinforce the idea of a close-knit bond between the leaders and the constituents.

Furthermore, Priyanka frequently references the Munshiganj massacre during a farmers' protest on January 7, 1921. While historical accounts vary regarding the death toll, with some suggesting minimal casualties and others indicating hundreds of deaths, her great-grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru's visit to the site at that time underscores the significance of the event in her speeches.

Priyanka highlights the enduring connection her family shares with Rae Bareli, dating back over 103 years, highlighting the involvement of her great-great-grandfather Motilal Nehru in supporting farmers in the region.

A recurring theme in her speeches is accountability.

Priyanka underscores this by recalling instances of her father Rajiv Gandhi patiently listening to criticism from the people of Amethi during his tenure as the Prime Minister, demonstrating a commitment to responsiveness and accountability.

She also reflects on her grandmother Indira Gandhi's defeat in Rae Bareli in 1977, following policies perceived as unfavourable by the locals. Instead of harbouring resentment, the former Prime Minister worked to regain their trust, embodying a politics centered on the welfare of the people.

Priyanka urges for a return to this brand of politics - one rooted in serving the interests of the people and fostering trust and accountability - during her recent addresses.

In her campaign addresses, Priyanka emphasises the importance of voting based on bread-and-butter issues rather than emotive factors like religion and caste, urging people to focus on improving their daily lives.

She criticises PM Modi and Irani equally, highlighting the economic shortcomings of the central government on one hand and Irani's singular focus on defeating Rahul Gandhi on the other.

While Rae Bareli appears to be a relatively favourable seat for the Congress, with many predicting Rahul Gandhi's victory, the competition in Amethi is intense, leaving voters uncertain about the outcome.

During discussions among voters, opinions vary widely. Some BJP supporters credit PM Modi for advancing the Ram temple in Ayodhya and anticipate Irani's victory. However, others express confidence in Congress candidate Sharma, particularly buoyed by Priyanka's energetic campaign.

Despite differing perspectives on the election's outcome, there's consensus that Priyanka's presence has made a significant impact, shaping the dynamics of what some describe as a "silent" election.

While this marks the first time in 25 years that a Gandhi family member isn't contesting from Amethi, Priyanka Gandhi's leadership role in the campaign underscores her influence as a "non-playing captain." The results for both Amethi and Rae Bareli will be out on June 4, alongside the rest of the country.

With PTI inputs