It’s the return of Indira Gandhi, says Congress cadre in UP

AMETHI: Congress in Uttar Pradesh, which was pushed into oblivion after multiple poll drubbings, sprang into life just hours after the dramatic announcement of Priyanka Gandhi’s electoral plunge. The Indira magic is back — the message was loud and clear and nothing exemplified this better than posters and hoardings of Priyanka and Indira that mushroomed across the state.

If Congress felt sidelined after the historic SP-BSP alliance, this was a masterstroke, party workers said.

A poster at the Congress headquarters in Lucknow said: “Indira is back”. It even compared Priyanka with Goddess Durga and lauded party president Rahul Gandhi for the bold move.


The sentiment was shared by Congress loyalists in Amethi and Rae Bareli. Allu Miyan, who has been with the Gandhi family for over four decades, was thrilled, saying, “Indira Gandhi waapis aa gai Bharat ki rajneeti mein (Indira is back in Indian politics).”

Distributing sweets to share his joy, Allu Miyan said: “She epitomises Indira from top to toe. I’ve seen both. Her face, body language, mannerisms and voice mirror Indira.”

In Rae Bareli, fireworks lit up the skyline and party cadre danced. Party member K L Sharma said: “She is the answer to those who said Congress toh durbeen se dhoondhne pe bhi nahi milegi. (Priyanka is the answer to those who said, you can’t spot Congress even with binoculars).”

In Amethi, workers reacted in Bollywood style. “Bhagwan ne humari sun li (God has heard our prayers),” said Manoj Kumar, a worker in Gauriganj Bazar. “She has a different aura which will change the electoral game,” said Yogendra Mishra, Amethi Congress president.

Grassroots workers are charged up. “Her arrival will catapult cadre morale to the next level,” said UP Congress president Raj Babbar.

“There is no dearth of stories to prove that change follows when women take the lead. She has taken the plunge and now she will bring the change,” said Manju Dixit, in the Congress media team.