No Priyanka vs Modi in Varanasi: Congress’ Fear or Wise Restraint?

Some Twitter users said fielding Priyanka at such short notice would have been political suicide.

There were speculations that Priyanka Gandhi will contest against Narendra Modi in Varanasi. 

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

The Congress has fielded Ajay Rai from Varanasi, ending speculations about Priyanka Gandhi contesting from the constituency, against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Questions of the Gandhi sibling making her electoral debut from Modi’s stronghold Varanasi were fanned by the Congress itself, on many occasions.

Last week, when Rahul Gandhi was asked if he was planning to field his sister against Modi, he had replied, “I will leave you in suspense. Suspense is not always a bad thing.”

Priyanka Gandhi also stoked the rumours when on Tuesday, 23 April, she said she will be okay with the party’s decision.

Congress’ decision to not field Priyanka Gandhi drew mixed reactions from Twitterati. Some said it was the right call as Priyanka contesting from Varanasi wouldn’t be political wisdom. Others said Congress was scared to pit Priyanka Gandhi against Narendra Modi and has accepted defeat.

‘Political Wisdom’

Journalist Rifat Jawaid said this was a good decision. “Fielding Priyanka at such short notice against Modi would have been a political suicide,” he tweeted.

Journalist Harinder Baweja also agreed. She said it was silly to have believed that Priyanka Gandhi would fight against Narendra Modi in Varanasi. Why would she stake her political career in year one, Harinder asked, adding that it makes for theatrics,not political wisdom.

Another Twitter user said Congress supporters have been hoping that Priyanka doesn’t contest from Varanasi. “She is more productive, campaigning in touch-and-go seats than tying herself up in Banaras,” he said.

‘No Show Against Modi’

Many others were of the opinion that it was Congress that had fanned the speculations in the first place, and that this doesn’t look good for the party.

Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai tweeted, “What do mixed signals tell us about the state of the main Opposition party at the moment?”

Journalist Barkha Dutt said if Congress never intended to field Priyanka against Modi, she shouldn’t have asserted her willingness. “This way, it looks like a no show against Modi’s mega show,” she tweeted.

Journalist Saba Naqvi said it was a “muddled response to Modi.”

“The Congress has all but thrown in the towel in battle for 2019,” tweeted journalist Marya Shakil.