Sheila hints at major UP role, says she’s state’s bahu

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 5

In first clear hints of her imminent role in Uttar Pradesh, senior Congress leader Sheila Dikshit today said she was the daughter-in-law of UP and that was enough of an eligibility to go there. Refraining from direct comments on whether she would get a major responsibility in election bound UP, the 78-year-old former Chief Minister of Delhi said, “I don’t want to comment on this until an announcement is made. But like a loyal soldier I will do whatever the party asks me to do.”

Sheila was answering questions at the Indian Women’s Press Corps here and spoke candidly about Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s elevation being a work in progress and about her belief that politicians don’t have retirement ages.

On Congress’ plan for UP where strategist Prashant Kishor is advising the party, Dikshit threw ample hints of a likely early announcement of a dream team comprising Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Ghulam Nabi Azad, AICC general secretary for the state, and herself.

Questioned on Kishor’s recommendations that she be fielded in as Congress’ face in UP being a Brahmin, the veteran leader said, “I was born in Punjab but I am the daughter in law of UP. That should be enough of eligibility. I have been in UP. I can now go there formally.”

But Dikshit has had concerns and said she had conveyed to Congress high command about the party having little time at its disposal in UP. She however qualified her statement saying, “I have said the time available with us is short. But I don’t have any choice. I will do what the party asks me to do.”

Sheila is the daughter in law of late Uma Shankar Dikshit, a reputed Congress man of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s times. She has also represented Kannauj in Lok Sabha earlier.

About Priyanka’s foray in the state, the Congress chose to keep the suspense going with Azad today saying, “No decision has yet been taken on whether Priyanka will campaign beyond Rae Bareilley and Amethi in UP.” But privately top sources told The Tribune that a decision had been taken to get Priyanka to canvas across UP and name Sheila the party’s campaign committee chief in UP. Announcements could happen this week.

It is also learnt that Kishor wants Priyanka stationed at Allahabad where she may stay at her family home Anand Bhavan, former PM Jawahar Lal Nehru’s ancestral house. Sheila Dikshit would likely camp at Lucknow. “The idea behind these locations is to get Priyanka and Sheila Dikshit to cover entire UP, a large state,” said a source said adding that the division of work between Priyanka, Sheila and Azad was being worked out to ensure synergy. Sheila herself hailed the talk of Priyanka’s entry in UP, saying, “Priyanks will be a great asset.”