Priyanka vs PM? Rahul Gandhi is not telling yet

NEW DELHI: Congress president Rahul Gandhi further stoked ongoing speculation that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra can take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi, as he refused to answer a query on the issue while also not denying the possibility.

In an interview, Rahul was asked to clarify the issue in view of feverish talk that his sister and newly-inducted AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra may contest from Varanasi.

The Congress president refused to “confirm or deny” the query, saying he would let the “suspense” stay.


It came just a day after brother-in-law Robert Vadra said that Priyanka was a hardworking person and would pose a strong challenge to Modi in the temple town.

Interestingly, the speculation was started by Priyanka herself when she made an off the cuff remark during a workers’ meeting in Rae Bareli recently.

When a sympathiser repeatedly urged Priyanka to contest the Lok Sabha polls, possibly implying that she contest from Rae Bareli in place of mother Sonia, she shot back, “how about contesting from Varanasi?” The comment set rumour mills abuzz and her repeated mention of “Modi ignoring Varanasi” in her campaign speeches only reinforced the perception that she was keen on fighting against the BJP mascot.

While few are aware of the leadership’s plan, it is felt that the possibility can become a reality if a joint opposition fields Priyanka as its common candidate. For that to happen, SP and BSP would have to come on board the idea. SP-BSP and Congress are fighting separately in UP.