Priyanka, Rahul to set off Congress UP campaign

The political parties are now on their toes to appeal voters ahead of the 2009 general elections between April 16 and May 13 as declared yesterday by the Election Commission of India. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi will be in Amethi today for their first campaign interaction after the announcement of poll schedule.

During their visit, both members of the Gandhi family are expected to meet party workers and meet Congress representatives of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s constituency Rae Bareli.

Earlier on February 2, Sonia Gandhi had inaugurated a rail coach factory in Rae Bareli while Rahul Gandhi had reiterated his commitment for the development of the region.

He had also listed the Congress achievements in the two constituencies which included the setting up of academic institutions, building of 800 km stretch of roads, cataract camps that cured 25,000 patients and the burgeoning chain of women self help groups which, he claimed, enjoyed a two lakh strong membership.

According to party sources, Priyanka, who had earlier campaigned for Sonia in 1999 and 2004 parliamentary elections, will also make several tours with Rahul and her mother Sonia Gandhi to various constituencies across the country, especially Uttar Pradesh, to boost confidence of the party workers.

As per the announced schedule of the 2009 Lok Sabha and Assembly Poll, Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, will have a five-day polling.

View the present political scenario of the state where it is still very uncertain of any possible alliance between Congress and Samajwadi Party, ruling Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) with its alliance with Left parties might play a major role if neither of the big two, BJP and Congress, emerges as a clear winner.

Congress in its effort would try to improve its tally in Uttar Pradesh even with an uneven alliance with SP. Meanwhile on Monday, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has expressed confidence of forging an alliance with Congress “very soon” for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, though they have certain contradiction over seat sharing.