New Delhi: In a bid to regain its Brahmin electoral bank in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress on Thursday named former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit as its chief ministerial candidate for Assembly polls in the politically crucial state scheduled for next year.
A formal announcement regarding the anointment of Dikshit, a Brahmin face, was made by in-charge of party affairs for the state Ghulam Nabi Azad today.
The anointment of Dikshit as the party’s face in the polls, if through, 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.
Dikshit is the daughter-in-law of prominent Congress leader from UP Uma Shankar Dikshit, who was a Brahmin face and had served as a Union minister and governor for a long time.
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.
(With PTI Inputs)
