New Delhi: Congress is pinning its hopes for revival on former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit in Uttar Pradesh. A Brahmin face, Dikshit has already played the ‘daughter-in-law’ card in a bid to regain the party’s Brahmin electoral bank in the state. While there had been speculation regarding her anointment as the would-be CM if Congress manages the seats in UP, the Congress today made it official.
“You have been speculating for a long time and for the first time your assumption has proved right,” Congress General Secretary Janardan Dwiwedi said while announcing Dikshit’s name. Notably, Dwivedi too happens to be a Brahmin.
The Brahmin card appears to be key to Congress’ plans in the state. Party’s poll strategist Prashant Kishor too had pressed for a Brahmin face for Congress in the upcoming elections. Apparently, Dikshit’s name too was an idea floated by him.
When news first emerged of Congress zeroing in on Dikshit as its CM face, she said she was the daughter-in-law of Uttar Pradesh and was ready for any role in the state that the party chose for her. Today, as the role was officially conferred on her, she was optimistic but guarded as well.
Reacting to the new responsibility, Sheila Dikshit said, “I want to thank Congress high command for the responsibility and the faith they have placed in me.” She, however, did not deny the challenges she will face in the state.
“There are 4 parties in UP- SP, BSP, BJP & Congress, our fight is with all of them,” she added.
When asked if she would like Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to campaign for the party, she said, “I would like her to campaign whenever she wishes to.”
Congress currently has 23 members in 404-member UP assembly.
Nadeem Javed, party’s MLA from Jaunpur, told indiatvnews.com that the decision to declare Sheila Dikshit as CM candidate was taken by consensus.
“It is a good decision taken by consensus. As far as I know, all of our MLAs are in the favour of the decision of party high command,” Javed said.
When asked if Dikshit would not be considered an outsider, Javed said, “She is a veteran politician, a three time CM of Delhi and has long association with Uttar Pradesh.”
Dikshit is the daughter-in-law of prominent Congress leader from UP Uma Shankar Dikshit, who was a Brahmin face of the party and had served as a Union minister and governor for a long time.
The anointment of Dikshit as the party’s face in the polls is in line with the recommendations of the Congress’ election strategist Prashant Kishor. He had recommended Dikshit’s name for a major role in the party's poll campaign in the state as she is a prominent Brahmin face and could help Congress regain support of the electorally sizeable community.
Earlier this month, Dikshit, a three-time Delhi Chief Minister, had said as UP's "daughter-in-law" she was ready to play any role in the state.
Dikshit had met party President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi last month during which she was said to have been sounded by them for a leading role in UP.
The Brahmin community, a traditional vote bank of Congress, had shifted allegiance to BJP in the aftermath of the Mandir-Mandal politics and a section in Congress feels it should make efforts to win back the support of the community.
A large chunk of Brahmin votes had also gone to Mayawati's BSP in the past when she gave tickets to many candidates belonging to the community.
The community's support determines the poll outcome in several seats in central and eastern UP.
The Congress has also constituted a Campaign Committee and a Coordination Committee. Rajya Sabha MP Dr Sanjay Singh has been designated the chairman of the Campaign Committee while Pramod Tiwari will head the coordination committee.
