Why the tough turf of eastern UP will now be a litmus test for both BJP and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra?

Greater Noida (24/01/2019) : Priyanka Gandhi’s official entry into politics came as a surprise to one and all, however what astounded many political experts was her choice of region- the eastern Uttar Pradesh.

A highly politically significant and sensitive part of Uttar Pradesh which also has had given many Prime Ministers to the country including the current PM Narendra Modi.

While it does not includes the Congress comfort zones of Amethi and Raebareli, it has the home constituencies of Narendra Modi, Varun Gandhi, Mulayam Singh Yadav among others.

The districts of Azamgarh, Ballia, Chandauli, Deoria, Ghazipur, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, Kushambi, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Mau, Mirzapur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Sant Ravidas Nagar, Shrawasti, Siddharth Nagar, Sonbhadra, Sultanpur, and Varanasi are said to be in the eastern portion of the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Indeed for Priyanka Gandhi taking the charge of this volatile region of Uttar Pradesh is going to be a tough litmus test where she would be competing with key political heavyweights, unless she decides to keep herself limited to the two parliamentary constituencies represented by her family members.

Here are the few major challenges that await Priyanka after she returns from her abroad trip and take official charge as General Secretary in the first week of February.

Intruding the BJP bastion-

It is not going to be a cakewalk for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to make a mark in the traditional BJP constituencies such as Gorakhpur, and Varanasi among others. All these three seats are also hold great significance for the saffron party owing to the people associated with them.

While it still remains to be seen whether PM Modi would recontest from Varanasi or not but nevertheless a mandate from this seat will be evaluated as a testimony of his work as an MP from this region and BJP will leave no stone unturned to keep it in its tally.

Similarly while the eastern UP remains a loosely defined concept, the central constituency of Lucknow can also be a part of Priyanka’s assignment. Lucknow which is now represented by Rajnath Singh has been the traditional seat of Late former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and in the first elections since after his demise, it will be no less than a setback for BJP to even lessen the margin of victory from this parliamentary constituency.

Gorkahpur, which went away from BJP clutches during by-polls will also see tough fight by the saffron brigade to get back the hold of the seat which is the home ground of serving chief minister Yogi Adityanath.

Apart from all these, Priyanka’s cousin Varun would also make the fight interesting in the Sultanpur constituency. Even Priyanka’s aunt’s Maneka Gandhi’s constituency Pilibhit is also part of eastern Uttar Pradesh.

By being in-charge of UP Eastern Congress Priyanka will have the responsibility of rejuvenating Congress in the constituencies of these BJP heavyweights, as post-electoral analysis of her first official assignment would prominently include the impact that she could make on these seats.

Breaking-in the SP-BSP bonhomie-

The challenge for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is not limited to just key BJP leaders but also becomes fierce with the recently forged SP-BSP alliance. These two parties remain key force in the Eastern UP region and with the alliance the strength is only expected to increase.

Both Mayawati and Akhilesh will be leading from the front to get maximum number of seats in the region. Both SP and BSP’s aspiration for being a key ally in the next government has to be fought diligently by Priyanka Gandhi, giving the prospects that their support may be required by Congress after the elections.

Nonetheless, It will be a litmus test for Priyanka to corner the alliance and the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.