Priyanka Gandhi may begin political innings with holy dip at Kumbh

New Delhi: Priyanka Gandhi is all set to officially begin her political career, as the general secretary of Uttar Pradesh East on February 4 after taking a dip in the Ganga at the Kumbh Mela, according to media reports.  She is likely to be accompanied by Congress president and brother Rahul Gandhi for the holy dip.The 47-year-old politician, who is expected to take charge as the general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East the same day, will hold a press conference jointly with Rahul Gandhi in Lucknow later in the day.

Informed sources told the news agency that both the Gandhis have zeroed in on February 4 for the holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya and the second shahi snan. If they do not get a chance to take the holy dip on February 4, the date of joining could be rescheduled to February 10 as Besant Panchami and the third shahi snan falls on this day.

While former Congress president Sonia Gandhi took a holy dip in the Ganga at the Kumbh Mela in 2001, neither Rahul nor Priyanka have taken a dip on the banks of Sangam. Priyanka Gandhi’s official entry into politics will give the party a much-needed edge in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the Lok Sabha elections later this year. Although not new to politics, this is the first time she will be at the forefront of developments.

Considering the fact that Priyanka has campaigned several times during past elections, the move is expected to serve the Congress well, according to many political analysts.  It remains to be seen if the adept backend operations manager for the party can become a full-fledged politician after assuming her new role.  

Akhilesh welcomes Priyanka's political debut
Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday welcomed the appointment of Priyanka Gandhi as a Congress general secretary.  Talking to reporters after hoisting the national flag at the Janeshwar Mishra Park here, he said he was happy that the Congress too was promoting new leaders.

Yadav's remarks came three days after Priyanka Gandhi's appointment as general secretary in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh. He expressed the hope that this decision will strengthen the Congress in Uttar Pradesh at the grassroots level.  "We socialists are always happy when new people are introduced in politics," he said.

The 45-year-old, however, parried questions on the possibility of possible friendship with the Congress.  The Samajwadi Party recently sealed an electoral alliance with one-time arch rival BSP, leaving the Congress out in the cold.