Priyanka Gandhi dismisses reports of her taking up important Congress post

NEW DELHI: Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra on Friday said reports about her assuming various posts in Congress were "conjecture" and "baseless rumours", according to PTI. "This constant conjecture and the manner in which the issue is brought up at opportune moments is incorrect," the agency quoted her as saying.

ET had reported on August 4 that the induction of Gandhi-Vadra in Congress leadership may happen after the next round of assembly polls later this year. ET had tried to reach Gandhi-Vadra for her comments, but her office had not responded.

"I would be very grateful to all concerned if they desisted from encouraging such baseless rumours," PTI quoted Priyanka as saying on Friday. Congress spokesperson Shobha Oza had on Thursday said that the party wants all three members of Gandhi family to take leadership role, lending credence to the speculation.

"Everybody from all over India want that all members of Gandhi family should come in politics. We want that all three of them should take the leadership role in the party (Hum chaahte hain ki tinon party ki kamaan samhale)," Oza had said.

On Wednesday, senior Congress leader and a Gandhi family loyalist Oscar Fernandes had said that "Priyanka should have a more active role in Congress" and that she should take up an "important responsibility".

When asked if Priyanka's entry would not be treated as a vote of noconfidence in Rahul, he had said, "there is no comparison. Rahul is vicepresident of the party, Sonia is president. Another member of the Gandhi family would strengthen the party." A few months ago, a top leader had indicated that Priyanka's role would not be of replacing Rahul but supplementing him in running the party.