A mega roadshow in Lucknow that drew thousands marked Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s entry into active politics on Monday. Priyanka, the Congress’s east UP incharge, was accompanied by her brother and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and Jyotiraditya Scindia, tasked with reviving the party in the eastern part of the state.

Scindia tweeted a line from a popular Bollywood song of yesteryears to highlight the party’s statement roadshow. “Aao dekhe zara, kismet kitna hain dum. Jamke rakhna kadam mere saathiya,” Scindia tweeted along with a photo of his with Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka.

The song is from the 1981 movie Rocky where Sanjay Dutt made his debut.

Later, Jyotiraditya Scindia tweeted again and thanked the people for a “historic” roadshow. “It is clear. This government will go, change is around the corner,” he tweeted.

When the three senior Congress leaders embarked on the roadshow, from the airport to the party headquarters, rose petals and marigold garlands were showered at their cavalcade.

Read more|

Since early morning, Congress workers were seen busy giving final touches to the arrangements for the roadshow, distributing food packets, tea and water to passersby. Patriotic songs were played on loudspeakers.

Early on Monday, Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweeted that he and Jyotiraditya Scindia, the party general secretary for western UP, will accompany Priyanka. “Coming to Lucknow today. Will be accompanied by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Jyotiraditya Scindia. Around 12pm, there will be a roadshow from Lucknow airport to Congress headquarters. Excited to meet you all,” he tweeted.

Priyanka Gandhi will be holding meetings with the party leaders and workers. The electoral battle in Uttar Pradesh opened up to a three-cornered contest after Priyanka Gandhi’s appointment as the party in-charge for Purvanchal. Many consider this move by the Congress party as a game-changer in the state.

Her plunge into active politics from eastern UP is likely to pose fresh challenges to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that had won 71 of the 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh – 73 with an ally.

Priyanka Gandhi has been tasked with reviving the party in UP. She is being pitched by the Congress as a big draw with her charisma and voter connect. But her ‘mission’ remains a daunting task in the state where the Congress has been pushed to the margins.

First Published: Feb 11, 2019 17:31 IST