​ Yadavs wrestle, Priyanka Gandhi has queries about impact

NEW DELHI: Amid the bloodletting in the Mulayam clan, Priyanka Gandhi lobbed a fleeting query at party managers on Monday about its impact on UP elections.

At a meeting called to put her at the centrestage of Congress planning for the state battle, Priyanka asked if the infighting (in Mulayam's family) would have an impact on political equations in UP and, if so, what that impact would be. The casual query was provoked by some leaders mentioning during the discussion on state politics that the Yadav feud was a critical development.

Most hedged their answers, saying it was not clear which way the SP infighting would settle, but added it had badly dented SP's image.

The query appeared normal but for Priyanka presiding over the feedback session.By all indications, the meeting was a carefully crafted stage to “create a buzz“ about Priyanka taking an active role in Congress planning for UP elections. Rahul did not attend the review, apparently to not dilute the message about his sister's involvement.

It is still not clear to what extent Priyanka will be involved in the Congress cam paign. But sources said it would be more extensive than in the past when she stayed confined to the family borough of Rae Bareli-Amethi.

Sources said it was the first official UPCC meeting attended by Priyanka. She has till now been watching preparations from the back office and her interactions with AICC general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad, PCC chief Raj Babbar and campaign committee chief Sanjay Singh have been informal or oneon-one in nature.

She asked questions on Rahul's “Deoria to Delhi“ yatra, such as its impact at the booth level and its effect on farmers, even asking whether “kisan maang patras“ promising loan waivers were still being distributed.