Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was on Wednesday appointed AICC general secretary in-charge for Uttar Pradesh East by her brother and party chief Rahul Gandhi.

Priyanka’s formal entry into politics drew reactions from political parties across the spectrum.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Sambit Patra said, "Expected, to promote dynasty is what Congress is all about. They consider family as the party while BJP considers party as the family. Congress has accepted that Rahul Gandhi Ji has failed".

On the other hand, BJP MP and General Secretary for Karnataka Shobha Karandlaje said, “When clown Prince is failing consistently, princess makes her entry! Congratulations Priyanka Gandhi On your appointment as Gen Secretary of East UP.”

Speaking to news agency ANI, Senior Congress leader Motilal Vohra said, “The responsibility given to Priyanka ji is very important. This will not only have an effect on eastern Uttar Pradesh but also other regions.”

Congress Member of Legislative (MLA) Deepak Singh told ANI, “We are happy Priyanka Gandhi is joining. It’s very clear now Rahul Gandhi is about to become the prime minister and Modi is about to go.”

Terming Rahul's decision as a point of revival for Congress, Congress' Rajeev Shukla said, "This will help in revival of Congress not only in Uttar Pradesh but the entire country. She will take charge after Feb 1 once she returns from abroad."

Speaking to reporters, Sena Lok Sabha Member of Parliament Arvind Sawant remarked that the Congress workers had wanted Priyanka Gandhi to join the party for a long time but earlier she hadn't wanted to come. He added that now that she has decided to take the plunge, it's a good thing. Sawant went on to say that he welcomes her entry into politics, though he left the question of the reason and timing of her entry largely unanswered.

Priyanka, a mother of two and wife of Robert Vadra, has always confined her role in overseeing campaigning in Amethi and Raebareli, the constituencies of Rahul and mother Sonia Gandhi respectively.

After the SP and BSP kept the Congress out of their anti-BJP alliance for the Lok Sabha polls in the state, the party announced that it will contest all 80 seats in the state.

At present, Congress has only two Lok Sabha seats of Amethi and Raebareli from Uttar Pradesh.

The party had joined hands with the SP in the assembly elections in 2017, but that alliance lost to the BJP. Congress won only seven seats in the 403-member assembly.

In 2014 Lok Sabha polls, BJP had won 71 seats while its ally Apna Dal came out victorious in two seats. The NDA had vote share of around 42 per cent in 2014 polls.

The Congress also replaced Ashok Gehlot as AICC general secretary (organisation) with K C venugopal. Jyotiraditya Scindia was appointed AICC general secretary for UP West.

Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad was appointed AICC general secretary in charge of Haryana, the party said.

Congress said Priyanka will take over as AICC general secretary for UP East in the first week of February.

(With inputs from agencies)