Priyanka may be heading for active role in politics

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Priyanka Gandhi may be heading for an active role in politics and is said to be set to take charge of her mother and Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Rae Bareli Parliamentary constituency.

There was no official word on the issue but AICC office bearers including party general secretaries insisted on Sunday that Priyanka has always interacted with the people of the constituency in politically crucial Uttar Pradesh and 'there is nothing new' in the move.

Amid reports that every Wednesday Priyanka would be meeting her people and party workers from Rae Bareli, the Congress leaders recalled that Priyanka had campaigned vigorously in Rae Bareli and Amethi in the UP Assembly polls early this year.

"I do not know anything in this regard. Priyanka has always been supportive and helpful for her mother and brother in their constituencies", party spokesman Rashid Alvi said.

Sonia's constant refrain has been that it was for her chidren to take a decision about their future.

Rahul Gandhi, who is set to play a larger role, possibly from next month had been the Congress' star campaigner in the Assembly polls but the scion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty could only see the party increasing its tally from 22 to 28 in the 403-member UP House.

"We do not talk about issues concerning the family", a party leader said when asked whether Priyanka could take the plunge in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The younger sister of Rahul, Priyanka has so far kept away from active politics citing family commitments.

A section of partymen have been favouring an active role for Priyanka, in whom they see a glimpse of her grandmother Indira Gandhi. They feel this is necessary to usher in a bright future for the party in UP and beyond.

In the 2009 Lok Sabha polls, Congress revived itself in UP with Rahul leading from the front and it had secured 22 seats. But the party's fortunes took a nosedive in the Assembly polls as it fared poorly even in the party strongholds of Amethi and Rae Bareli.

While Rahul has himself interacted with party MLAs, MPs and Central Ministers on the causes of the debacle, a high- level committee led by Defence Minister A.K. Antony had gone into Congress' performance in UP, Punjab and Uttarakhand.

Rahul formally entered active politics in 2004 by contesting the Amethi seat held by his late father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. At that time, Sonia, who was representing the seat, moved to neighbouring Rae Bareli, another family pocket borough.