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Priyanka, Rahul are party workers, says Congress
New Delhi, January 21 “Persons who have lived in the party and whose parents and grandparents have been in the party, they are virtually in the party by birth,” observed Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi when asked about the status of Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra vis-a-vis the Congress. Mr Singhvi was faced with a volley of questions about their visit to their mother’s Lok Sabha constituency — Amethi — and whether Ms Gandhi’s children had formally joined the Congress. “That is entirely their personal decision... you will know when that happens,” Mr Singhvi added. As for their visit, he said they had already clarified that there was nothing political about it and that they had come to basically to see the development projects in the constituency. “Family member of an elected member not only has a right but also an obligation to visit a constituency,” he further explained. Despite the public disclaimers, the ongoing three-day visit of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra Gandhi has revived speculation about their formal entry into electoral politics. While Ms Gandhi’s daughter virtually manages the Amethi constituency and visits it often, this is the first time that her son has accompanied his sister. Even if they do not contest the election, the brother-sister duo could campaign in the coming Lok Sabha poll. UP Congress leaders have long been demanding this and even the Pranab Mukherjee committee had said that they should be actively involved in the campaign.  |
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Priyanka, Rahul touring Amethi constituency Amethi, January 21 Priyanka and Rahul started their three-day road tour of Amethi yesterday to undertake first-hand assessment of the political situation in the state. Though the rain gods played truant this morning, the second day of their tour, the two siblings met around 500 persons who had gathered at the Munishiganj guest house and asked about their well-being. Assisted by AICC officials, responsible for the constituency management, they enquired about the development works being undertaken in the area. Police officials escorting them claimed the two would tour at least 10 villages during the day. Earlier, at around 8 am, they met the presidents of the blocks and other leaders of the party. Both were non-committal about joining politics before the Lok Sabha poll but broadly hinted that they would not resist joining when required. Meanwhile, the BJP here received a shock when their legislator and former minister Amita Singh along with her husband and Congress leader Sanjay Singh met the “VIP guests” last night. Reliable sources said that a horde of BJP leaders from Sultanpur and Rae Bareli districts were likely to join the Congress in the presence of Priyanka and Rahul. Yesterday their tour started a little late following a delay in the Delhi-Lucknow flight. Priyanka, Sonia’s official manager of Amethi, once again plans to zig-zag through the by-lanes of the Amethi and Rae Bareli parliamentary constituencies to interact with party workers and commoners with Rahul in toe. “I am here to see the constituency,” Rahul told reporters in a brief interaction.
— UNI |
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