Assembly Elections 2023: Priyanka Gandhi takes the wheel in Congress’ poll campaign

AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, acknowledged by party workers for her role in the victory in Himachal Pradesh through a series of rallies, is once again at the forefront, leading campaigns in the election-bound states of Telangana, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.

Among the Congress’ top leadership, the AICC General Secretary, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, has been holding the largest number of rallies and roadshows, followed by Party President, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi, who is closely involved in strategy planning for the polls.

After the Karnataka elections, where the grand old party formed the government with a resounding majority in May, Priyanka Gandhi switched to campaign mode and addressed a “Jan Akrosh” rally in Gwalior on July 21.

Following the campaign model of Karnataka, the party assigned her the responsibility of announcing the party’s main guarantees, which included implementing the old pension scheme, offering free electricity up to 200 units, providing a monthly pension of Rs 1,500 to every woman-led household, waiving-off farmers’ loans, and making LPG cylinders available at subsidised rates.

Sources said that it was Priyanka Gandhi who proposed that the party’s campaign should primarily focus on women. Additionally, the party’s survey had also revealed that its promises in Karnataka played a substantial role in the party’s historic victory, securing 135 of 224 seats.

During all her rallies in Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh, Priyanka Gandhi has been announcing schemes exclusively for women as part of her efforts to maintain and consolidate the party’s position in power. Even while selecting candidates, she pushed for increasing the number of female candidates in these five states, sources added.

In Madhya Pradesh, where the Congress had formed the government in 2018, only to lose power 15 months later, the party has given tickets to 30 women, while the BJP has fielded 25 candidates.

However, in Rajasthan, it has given tickets to 28 women candidates, whereas the BJP has fielded 20 female candidates (10 percent) of the 200 assembly seats. Of the 90 candidates fielded in Chhattisgarh, 14 tickets have been given to women.

Senior journalist and political commentator Rasheed Kidwai, said that the AICC General Secretary differs significantly from Rahul Gandhi in terms of temperament, oratory skills, and social acumen.

“She led the campaign in Uttar Pradesh and did not make a huge impact on ground in terms of votes, but her efforts were instrumental in activating party cadre and maintaining party discipline,” said Kidwai.

He said that Priyanka Gandhi possesses the qualities of a resilient and determined leader, and party members have strong faith in her leadership. In the states going to polls again from November 17, Priyanka Gandhi has conducted numerous public meetings since September.

On November 8, she addressed two rallies and a mega roadshow in Madhya Pradesh.

Earlier in May, the Congress’ state unit in Telangana had requested the central leadership to assign Priyanka Gandhi to campaign, with frequent visits and public meetings, to challenge the BRS government. This request was subsequently approved by the high command.

Another political analyst, Niranjan Sahoo, said that Priyanka effectively connects with the audience and addresses issues of public concern, which has a visible impact. The fact that the Bharatiya Janata Party immediately responds to her actions demonstrates her growing influence in the political arena.