Priyanka Gandhi enters politics LIVE updates: Congress looks up 'young guns', BJP questions party on dynastic politics

Most un-eventful news of 2019: BJP

As the incharge of eastern UP, Priyanka will be managing the party’s campaign in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Parliamentary seat, which falls in the region.

Reacting to the development, BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao called it the “MOST UN-EVENTFUL NEWS of 2019” .

As the incharge of eastern UP, Priyanka will be managing the party’s campaign in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary seat Varanasi. Reacting to the development, BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao called it the “MOST UN-EVENTFUL NEWS of 2019”.

Grand show  when Priyanka takes charge

Congress has planned a grand show when Priyanka Gandhi takes charge. Leaders from the party said that the rally may start from Lucknow and Varanasi. 

Celebrations in Raebareli

Congress workers break into celebrations in Rae Bareli, after Priyanka Gandhi got appointed the party's General Secretary for Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Priyanka was actively working behind the scenes with Sonia and Rahul since 1999

Despite maintaining her distance from politics up till now, Priyanka Gandhi has played a crucial role in establishing Congress' foothold in its two bastions Amethi and Raebareli. Taking full responsibility of electoral campaigning in these two areas during the Lok Sabha elections of 2014, while Rahul and Sonia Gandhi toured the entire nation and held rallies, it was Priyanka, who took charge of Amethi and Raebareli.

Before that, in the Lok Sabha elections of 1999, Priyanka helped her mother Sonia win the two crucial seats of these contituencies by campaiging profusely on her behalf. She stayed for Amethi in two weeks for this purpose, which eventually led to Sonia's victory in the contituency by a margin of lakhs of votes. 

Robert Vadra could prove to be Priyanka's baggage

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's political plunge, at last, will most likely unleash a cacophony of voices. On one hand are the Congress supporters and political pundits who always felt that Priyanka was the right Gandhi to take over the family heirloom and that her entry into active politics was long overdue, while on the other hand are those who will remind the Congress party the baggage the Congress heiress comes with.

Trust Bharatiya Janata Party that the many corruption allegations against Priyanka's entrepreneur husband Robert Vadra will precede her reputation as the more articulate, forceful and charismatic politician in the Congress' first family.

Congress should be natural choice, that's Priyanka's job, say Congress leaders

Congress' idea is to ensure to push NDA out of power, senior leaders said. "The idea is to replant Congress as the only natural choice on a pan-India level and Priyanka Gandhi is the best choice for the job," said Congress leader Sachin Pilot. 

Presently, Priyanka is out of the country and will return to India in first week of February to take charge of eastern Uttare Pradesh. Congress was decimated in the region last Lok Sabha elections in 2014. 

Priyanka is just like Indira Gandhi, says Farooq Abdullah

Comparing Priyanka Gandhi to grandmother Indira Gandhi, National Conference (NC) leader Farooq Abdullah said that he is confident of Priyanka’s success.

Speaking to News18, Farooq said, “This young lady has good vibes and she is nearly like her grandmother. People in India will love her, will want her to lead forward the party and help her brother. She will make a great success.”

Robert Vadra congratulates 'P', says give it your best

In a Facebook post, Robert Vadra congratulated wife Priyanka Gandhi, and said, "Congratulations P... always by your side in every phase of your life. 
Give it your best."

Priyanka's appointment Cong's admission of Rahul's failure: BJP

Priyanaka congratulates Priyanaka

Congress national spokesperson congratulated Priyanka Gandhi for her appointment as an AICC general secretary.

Priyanka in direct challenge to Modi and Adityanath

Congress president Rahul Gandhi has given his sister the charge of poll preparations in eastern Uttar Pradesh in a direct challenge to Yogi Adityanath. Eastern Uttar Pradesh comprises crucial constituencies — Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Amethi, Raebarelly, Allahabad — to name a few. So essentially, Priyanka will be challenging even Prime MInister Narendra Modi in Varanasi. 

Though Priyanka is known to have had a say in formalising election strategies and candidates’ list of the Congress in previous elections, she now has a formal title to go along with that role.

Congress serious in its promise of making UP a triangular fight after Mayawati and Akhilesh snub

Bringing the 47-year-old on board the campaign shows that the Congress is serious in its promise of making the election in Uttar Pradesh a triangular contest after the snub from Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav. Soon after the SP-BSP alliance was announced, Rahul Gandhi had said that he has a surprise in store, but few had predicted it be Priyanka's political plunge. 

However, Congress leaders maintained that Priyanka's entry should not be linked to SP-BSP alliance. 

One of the most awaited entries in Indian politics is finally here: Prashant Kishor

Prashant Kishor, who is the vice-president of JD(U) and a former poll strategist for Narendra Modi, tweeted: "One of the most awaited entries in Indian politics is finally here! While people may debate the timing, exact role and position, to me, the real news is that she finally decided to take the plunge! Congratulations and best wishes to Priyanka Gandhi."

Priyanka and Jyotiraditya will be in UP to spread Congress' real ideology: Rahul Gandhi

"We are not going on the backfoot, we do politics for development and people's welfare. Priyanka and Jyotiraditya Scindia in Uttar Pradesh will spread the real Congress ideology and change the politics of Uttar Pradesh. That is the agenda," says Rahul Gandhi. 

Rahul said that Congress wants to tell the youths and farmers that you have wasted a lot of time, you have voted BJP which has left the state in shambles. "Now, let us give a new direction to politics of UP."

"I am very happy that my sister, who is an extremely capable and hard-working, will work with me," says Rahul. 

Priyanka will officially take charge in first week of February

Though Priyanka is known to have had a say in formalising election strategies and candidates’ list of the Congress in previous elections, she now has a formal title to go along with that role.

"Honourable Congress president has appointed Shrimati Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as AICC General Secretary for Uttar Pradesh East. She will be taking charge with effect on first week of February 2019,” the party said in an official release signed by Ashok Gehlot.

Priyanka's entry shows Congress desperation too: Analysts

Analysts, however, also added that the decision to introduce Priyanka Gandhi ahead of Lok Sabha elections shows Congress' desperation. Congress has essentially shown its hand in the run up to the polls. 

Even as Congress leaders have said that she will infused new energy among the cadre, the party is opening itself up for many challenges, especially from the BJP. BJP has always attacked the party over dynastic politics, the attacks will only intensify. 

Congress has revealed its trump card, say political analysts

Making it party's biggest announcement ahead of Lok Sabha elections, Congress leaders said that Priyanka was always working behind the scene with party members and that it was only a matter of time before she joined active politics. 

Political analysts have said that Priyanka was always Congress' trump card. There was a lot of speculation during the 2014 Lok Sabha election and we saw footage where Priyanka accompanied brother Rahul Gandhi during several rallies. 

"Priyanka Gandhi aandhi hai, doosri Sonia Gandhi hain"

Congress workers raised slogans congratulating Priyanka Gandhi. ANI reports, "Reactions from Amethi about Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joining active politics pour in. They say "Priyanka Gandhi aandhi hai, doosri Indira Gandhi hai". 

This will not only have an effect on eastern Uttar Pradesh but also other regions: Motilal Vora

Motilal Vora, a senior Congress leader said, "The responsibility given to Priyanka ji is very important. This will not only have an effect on eastern Uttar Pradesh but also other regions." 

The question wasn't "if", it was "when", say observers

The announcement of Priyanka Gandhi joining politics was recieved with a lot of gusto by Congressmen. Sanjay Jha said that Priyanka was a "determined and a resolute fight" and will infuse the party with renewed energy. "Congress will go all nine-yards to win 2019 Lok Sabha elections," said Jha. 

Analysts have said that Priyanka's entry into politics was the matter of "when" and not "if".

Priyanka Gandhi is Congress general secretary, in charge of Uttar Pradesh

After years of speculation and mild denials, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has finally taken the plunge into active politics. Congress president Rahul Gandhi has given his sister the charge of poll preparations in eastern Uttar Pradesh in a direct challenge to chief minister and BJP’s star campaigner Yogi Adityanath.