Will the Priyanka-Dimple Duo Attract Maximum Votes in UP Polls?

Uttar Pradesh has about 47 percent women voters. In terms of voter turnout, women are ahead of the men.

(Photo: The Quint)

Akhilesh Yadav standing with his wife Dimple Yadav while declaring Samajwadi Party’s manifesto wasn’t a mere coincidence. This is a clear indication that Dimple’s role in the upcoming elections will be growing significantly. On the other hand, Priyanka Gandhi is playing a key role in the SP-Congress coalition and senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel specially thanking Priyanka is not just coincidence. It seems the women are attempting to pull maximum votes in the upcoming elections.

Attracting Women Voters?

Uttar Pradesh has about 47 percent women voters and women are ahead of men in terms of voter turnout. Statistics show that the trend of women voting was higher than men in the assembly elections. One of the biggest reasons is that the local issues such as water, power and governance directly affect women and the national government's policies affect men more.

Priyanka-Dimple Seen on Posters Across UP

(Photo: Twitter)

Seat-sharing between the Congress and Samajwadi Party has been officially done. But according to reports, the coalition was stuck at its last stage and it finally disagreements were resolved after Priyanka Gandhi stepped in. This is also being seen as Priyanka’s political comeback.

(Photo: Twitter)

Many times, there were demands for Priyanka to be brought to power but she has always executed her responsibilities from behind the scenes. Congress’ poll strategist Prashant Kishor had also asked Priyanka to be the face of UP polls.

Since 2000, Priyanka has played a crucial role in maintaining Congress’ seat in Amethi and Raebareli. Her role has been discussed several times within the party but no Congress leader has spoken about it. However, senior leader Ahmed Patel has tweeted about Priyanka after the tie up with the SP.

Later, even Ghulam Nabi Azad thanked Priyanka for her role in finalising the deal with SP.

Beginnings Were Made in July 2016

Discussions about increasing Priyanka’s role began when the party started preparing the roadmap for UP last year in July 2016. It was revealed that Priyanka provided considerable inputs in the 'UP Plan'. Thereafter, her talks with Ghulam Nabi Azad and other Congress leaders in connection with chalking out a strategy for the election campaign in UP also came to the fore.

After taking stock of the ground realities in UP, the Congress decided to make a retreat and enter into an alliance with the SP. It was Priyanka who came forward to hold discussions on the distribution of seats. Now it has become clear that Rahul and Priyanka were not only holding parleys with SP with UP CM Akhilesh Yadav but were also in touch with RLD's Jayant Chaudhry.

(The article has been translated from the original.)