I’m In It for the Long Haul: Priyanka Gandhi at Her First Meeting

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday, 6 February, took charge as the AICC general secretary in-charge of UP East.

Priyanka Gandhi arrives at her office at AICC headquarters in New Delhi on Wednesday, 6 February. 

(Photo: PTI)

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, attending her first official meeting on Friday, 8 February, after taking over as AICC general secretary, said she was new to the politics business, but was in it for the long haul, reported India Today.

Priyanka Gandhi was appointed as the general secretary of the Congress party for Uttar Pradesh (East) a few weeks ago.

The party’s game plan for Lok Sabha polls was discussed at the meeting, which was presided over by Congress President Rahul Gandhi and the All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretaries and in-charges of various states, according to India Today.

Rahul Gandhi has also called a meeting of state chiefs and Congress Legislature Party leaders on Saturday, 9 February, in the national capital, to review preparedness for the general election.

At the meeting, Priyanka Gandhi said she would abide by her brother and Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s decision, according to India Today sources.

Don’t Expect Miracles in Two Months: Rahul Gandhi

At the meeting, Priyanka said she would counter the ideology of RSS-BJP and asserted her that she would give her best despite being new to politics, reported the Hindustan Times.

However, Congress president Rahul Gandhi asked Priyanka to be realistic and for his part, he did not expect a miracle from her in two months.

Priyanka Gandhi returned from abroad on 4 February and met with her brother and Congress President Rahul Gandhi at his Tughlaq Road residence.

A day later, a nameplate for her was put up outside a room allotted to her at the Congress headquarters in Delhi.

Priyanka Gandhi marked her entry into active politics after being appointed as the All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary for East Uttar Pradesh on 23 January.

As the in-charge for eastern UP, she will be managing the Congress’ campaign in the region, which also includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency Varanasi.

(With inputs from India Today and Hindustan Times.)