Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan on Wednesday welcomed Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s official entry into politics saying her appointment as a general secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) signals the arrival of good times for the party in Uttar Pradesh.

The Congress on Wednesday morning announced the appointment of Ms Gandhi-Vadra as general secretary in-charge for Uttar Pradesh East. She would take charge of the new assignment in the first week of February.

“Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is a good administrator and experienced leader,” said Mr. Chavan, while referring to her role in handling parliamentary constituencies of Raebarelli and Amethi over the last few years.

He said Ms Vadra’s contribution was also instrumental in Congress’s successive victories in the two seats held presently by former Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

“We are happy Priyanka has been given a wider responsibility in Uttar Pradesh politics. It is a heartening moment for all Congress workers. Under her able leadership, Congress will definitely register an outstanding victory in U.P.,” he said.

Mumbai city unit Congress president and former Lok Sabha MP Sanjay Nirupam said Ms Vadra’s entry into politics will “strengthen” the hands of Rahul Gandhi.

“Great decision by Hon Congress President @RahulGandhi to appoint Priyanka ji and @JM_Scindia as general secretary in charge UP east and west. It will strengthen the hands of CP (Congress President). Congratulations to both of them,” he tweeted.

Former minister and sitting MLA Naseem Khan said this will boost the morale of Congress workers. “Lakhs of Congress workers and office-bearers have been demanding that Priyanka be brought into active politics. She is a good orator and her active participation in the party affairs will further boost the image of Congressand bring the party back in power after LS polls,” he said.

Opposition Shiv Sena said that every individual has a right to enter politics and every party can chose its leader. “Ultimately people decide who will win. It doesn’t matter whether it is a dynasty or not. People are supreme in an election,” said Sena Lok Sabha MP Arvind Sawant.

Congress ally, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said her entry will enthuse party workers. NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said Congress will reap “special benefits” in Uttar Pradesh.

“The SP-BSP alliance will not be affected much because they have a fixed vote bank of Yadavs, Dalits and Muslims. However, her (Priyanka’s) clout will charge up the party workers,” he said.