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In February 2003 Priyanka Vadra will resume her 'good work' in Amethi, the parliamentary constituency of her mother, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, party leader in Uttar Pradesh Arun Kumar Singh Munna said on Wednesday.
"Priyanka has shaken... UP chief minister [Mayawati] and the message is loud and clear. I will convey to our high command that our workers feel that she [Priyanka] would lead us to victory in UP if she intensifies her involvement," Munna told rediff.com
"If the mere presence of the young woman can unnerve the rulers of the state, it gives a good idea of her potential. That is what has created panic in the highest echelons of the UP government...," he contended.
During her recent visit to Amethi, Priyanka had come to the aid of a dalit man and made sure that the local authorities listened to his grievance. Mayawati felt that the Congress had upstaged her Bahujan Samaj Party, which enjoys the support of dalits.
Munna, however, did not think that either Priyanka or her brother Rahul needed any formal entry into the party.
"Both are the progeny of an illustrious family and both have accompanied Madam [Sonia] during her tours. To say that either Priyanka or Rahul need to be baptised... would be erroneous because our party workers are unanimous that both are welcome," he pointed out.
"In the case of UP, our workers emphasise that she [Priyanka] is the answer to our prayers," Munna said, adding that he agreed with them.
"Now Mayawati knows that our party's base is among the dalits and weaker sections. Priyanka [during her recent visit to Amethi] fought for Rambhajan [the dalit] by extorting a promise from the Sultanpur district administration that it will look into his case.
"We are enthused by what Priyanka achieved in Amethi two years ago and during her just-concluded visit. We will tell the party high command that our fortunes will skyrocket once she [Priyanka] immerses herself in Congress affairs in UP," state party spokesman Akhilesh Singh said.
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