This story is from February 10, 2019

‘Priyanka will put an end to dalali in Congress’

‘Priyanka will put an end to dalali in Congress’
Priyanka Gandhi
It is still, probably, the most candid confession made by an Indian politician – former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s take on corruption that of every one rupee spent by the government for welfare of the downtrodden, only 15 paise actually reaches the beneficiary.
Today, as his daughter takes the plunge in politics and looks to revive the Congress in UP, party workers look up to her – many years after Rajiv made this comment – to wipe out “dalali” within the party, from distributing tickets to offering posts.

“Priyanka can put an end to dalali (the menace of middlemen) in the party, which has prevented it from developing in the state. With her entry, the system of Congress dalals operating in every district, who decide on seats and positions, will be over. Those indulging in this include senior leaders, who are not allowing a second line of leadership to develop. She will meet people directly and will have a free hand to put things right,” said Ramesh Mishra a UP Pradesh Congress Committee (UPPCC) member Iltifatganj in Ambedkarnagar, a Dalit dominated constituency, about 200 km from Lucknow.
Mishra’s fear is not unfounded. BSP chief Mayawati has represented this constituency four times and has a huge following here, a big reason why the SP-BSP gatbandhan is already quite popular here.
If Mishra felt that Congress was on ventilator support till now, Priyanka will be able to turn things around as she can be decisive and take strong steps.
While opinion is sharply divided over whether or not Priyanka’s entry into politics at this point will yield any result for a moribund Congress in this area, her appointment has managed to enthuse Congress workers who are hopeful of a sea change.
Party workers say she reminds them strongly of her grandmother, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and feel Priyanka has the ability to connect with workers. “She knows people by name, can take charge of a situation. She is warm but also direct. People like her immediately,” said a local party worker.

At Ahmed Nadeem’s pan shop in Tanda, the early morning conversation has just veered towards the elections, and people begin to talk of Priyanka’s entry into politics.
Wali Mohammed, a local, is convinced that Priyanka’s entry will make no difference to the Congress at this stage. But, he is immediately cut off by his friend Rajendra Kumar. “She has, at least, managed to get people to talk about Congress. The party may not be able to wrest Ambedkarnagar, but it will improve its score elsewhere in UP,” said Kumar.
At Marhaila Jail area in Ambedkar Nagar, the difference in opinion is stark. As a group of people gather at a tea stall, the senior most, Ram Raj, believes Priyanka’s influence will work only among the youth.
“Congress is all but over in UP.PV Narsimha Rao drew the last nail in its coffin here. Priyanka can sway the youth, but that will not be enough to infuse life into the party here,” said Ram Raj.
He is countered by Ram Bhawan Yadav, who believes Priyanka will breathe new life into the party. “BJP and Congress are national parties and one must keep that in mind for the Lok Sabha elections,” said Yadav.
Jagdamba Prasad was not too convinced about Priyanka’s ability to turn Congress around in UP. But, his initial skepticism is melting. “BJP’s reaction to her appointment shows she has the potential. As soon as she was appointed, BJP leaders rushed to make statements against her. Even if she would have not made any difference, the BJP’s attack on her will help her get votes,” he said.
For diehard Congress supporters, it is clearly a big moment. At Tulsiganj Chauraha just ahead of Akbarpur, 70-year-old Mata Prasad Tiwari cannot hold his tears back when he talks of Indira. Hardly anyone knows Mata Prasad’s name. He is ‘Congressi’, given his deep love for the party.
Mata Prasad Congressi’s face lights up as he talks. “She is the true heir to her grandfather,” said Mata Prasad, as he stood up dramatically and rendered a poem he had written in praise of the Gandhi family.
Virendra Kumar Tiwari cannot hold back his laughter, looking at Mata Prasad’s antics. Sitting at the local tea stall, he says more than half of his village has “become deewana of the Congress.”
In Akbarpur, Ram Vilas Singh sits at a tea stall on a Sunday morning. “Priyanka is young and charming person and displays Indira’s style of working. She has the ability to run around, speak well and attract people. I think she will stay on and help Rahul. There are many here who have strong feelings for the Congress for ages. Those who do not wish to vote for the SP-BSP combine, will return to Congress now,” he said.
In Nehru Nagar, Mehenia, a Dalit colony in Tanda, the general consensus is that Priyanka will help Congress get more votes. “But, the rut in the Congress is now almost complete. It will be difficult to expect a strong revival. Congress is zero right now. It is too soon for the party to benefit from her even though it will get more votes,” said Muneshwar Prasad, another Congress supporter.
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