Exclusive: 'Priyanka campaigning will mean Rahul's charm is fading'

Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav assesses the Priyanka effect, in an exclusive conversation with Rediff.com

"Priyanka Gandhi is not Indira Gandhi," declares Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Yadav, who began his political career as a disciple of the Socialist icon Ram Manohar Lohia, paid glowing tributes to Priyanka Gandhi Vadhra' grandmother, former prime minister Indira Gandhi, who, along with her father Jawaharlal Nehru, was one of Dr Lohia's constant targets.

Asked if Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's campaign would impact the Samajwadi Party's fortunes in next month's assembly election in Uttar Pradesh, Yadav felt, "Her impact is not more than Indira Gandhi. Indiraji was a powerful person and a very big leader. She had tremendous impact on the people. She was an impressive lady."

"I have seen poor people without footwear running to get a glimpse of her," Yadav recalled. "I watched her closely. She had a mystical quality. There is a lot of difference (between Indira Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who has often been compared to her grandmother on the campaign trail)."

Priyanka is considered the most charismatic member of her family, which includes her mother Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her elder brother party General Secretary Rahul Gandhi. Observers feel she has the allure to attract crowds and win votes for the Congress in UP.

She makes promises people would like to believe. Her resemblance to her grandmother Indira Gandhi is considered the most potent weapon for the Congress.

But Yadav -- whose politics was nurtured in the crucible of anti-Indira campaigns, especially during the heady mid-1970s -- believes Indira Gandhi's charm was due to her leadership. She was a strong leader in whom the people had faith. Her mystique emanated from her leadership values.

According to Yadav's confidant Azam Khan, if Priyanka formally joins politics and campaigns everywhere in UP, then political parties will treat her as a politician.

State Chief Minister Mayawati is also preparing a dossier on Priyanka and her businessman husband Robert Vadra to counter her charm offensive in UP's electoral battle.

Khan told Rediff.com, "Priyanka's campaigning will mean that Rahul Gandhi's charm is fading and the Congress is nervous, so it is fielding Priyanka Gandhi now."

But Priyanka remains an untested factor and it is possible that if she is attacked at a personal level, she may evoke sympathy from the people.