Priyanka Gandhi: Primary Opposition To Brand Modi And Everything He Represents (image: facebook.com/priyankagandhivadra)

Dismantling all speculations regarding Priyanka Gandhi’s electoral debut in Rae Bareli, a constituency where Nehru-Gandhi family traces 100 year election, she took up the mantle of election campaigner and currently, delivering the role fiercely and impeccably. In the core of Hindi heartland, through acing as an effective campaigner, Priyanka Gandhi is indulging in the active politics – a decisive task for the party as well as for her. Certainly, she is imparting “a news lease of life” to party workers and at the electoral front.

During the interactions, Priyanka Gandhi is repeatedly addressing the historical incidents to denote that how the Nehru-Gandhi family stood with the people of Rae Bareli since long back. She evokes the inherent connection that is embed between her family and the people in the constituencies.

Also, she admits about the failings; since history also records Indira Gandhi’s defeat from Rae Bareli. Priyanka Gandhi also addressed her brother Rahul Gandhi’s defeat in 2019. “The BJP tried to misguide the people and incite them against us saying that we only wanted to grab their land and property. Consequently, some of you got swayed and Rahul ji was defeated in 2019. The old ties between my family and you came to a halt for some time but they were never broken,” the New Indian Express quotes, as she is saying.

She is conducting “nukkad sabhas” (street meetings),  and door-to-door campaigns; from booth management to outreach programmes, she is handling the digital media campaigns as well.

Even without contesting, she became a tough contender for PM Modi. She single-handedly retorts to the PM Modi”s attacks targeting Congress, and Gandhi-Nehru family and blunts BJP”s attack as well. Priyanka Gandhi criticised Modi”s allegations, such as “Mangalsutra” and “X-Ray Examination” remark, and referring Rahul Gandhi as “Shehzada”. “He [PM Modi] should tell people how much development his government has done during the past decade instead of condemning Congress rule of 70 years,” she responded.

With well-defined strategy and combative demeanor, Priyanka Gandhi is building a strong opposition to Modi and the BJP forthright. She is staunchly attacking the religion-centric politics of the BJP. “Hindu religion has taught us to live an honest life but the BJP and PM Modi is doing politics in the name of religion,” she said. While addressing public rallies, she ascertained that PM Modi has started considering himself as God and thinks he would get votes in the name of religion but people will not be misled.

Priyanka Gandhi is present in Uttar Pradesh electoral arena since 2004, campaigning for her mother Sonia Gandhi and brother Rahul Gandhi in their constituencies in the Lok Sabha polls. Hence, she has established an emotional connect with constituents as well possesses an in-depth knowledge of the constituencies. Besides, she has been taking part in party decisions and tactics, and policies concerning Uttar Pradesh. Even though she campaigned for Rahul Gandhi in Amethi during 2019 elections, it did not come to fruition.

However, this time, Priyanka Gandhi is more fierce, sharp, and quick-witted. Party leadership see her as the “brahmastra” to defeat the saffron party and Priyanka is seen to have more prowess as a campaigner than her brother, Business Standard observes. Aside from all this, the poll campaign marks a litmus test for Gandhi”s political future as well.