Priyanka releases audio message ahead of UP visit, asks people to participate in 'new kind of politics'

A day ahead of her Uttar Pradesh visit, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Sunday released an audio message inviting the people of Uttar Pradesh to join her as "equal partners in a new kind of politics".

Indian Congress Party leader Priyanka Gandhi. Photo: AFP (File)

NEW DELHI: A day ahead of her Uttar Pradesh visit, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Sunday released an audio message inviting the people of Uttar Pradesh to join her as "equal partners in a new kind of politics". It will be Priyanka's first trip to the state after being appointed the Congress general secretary in charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh. "Namaskar, I am Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Tomorrow, I am coming to Lucknow to meet you. I have hope in my heart that we will start a new kind of politics by coming together. "A kind of politics in which you all will be partners. Where the voice of my young friends, sisters and the weakest person will be heard," she said in the message which was delivered to around 30 lakh people over phone call. "Come, and join me in building a new future and establishing a new kind of politics." Priyanka will be accompanied by Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is now general secretary for western UP, all three visiting the crucial state for the first time after the appointments announced last month. Congress workers are planning a road show when the three leaders travel from the airport to the party's state headquarter.

GS Incharge UP East, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's message inviting the people of UP to join her as equal partners in a new kind of politics. #NayiUmeedNayaDeshhttps://t.co/u42l3JKBTQ

— Congress (@INCIndia) February 10, 2019

The party in Uttar Pradesh is seeing the visit as the virtual launch of the Congress campaign in the state, ahead of the coming Lok Sabha elections. The two general secretaries will interact with party workers at the state Congress office in Lucknow on February 12, 13 and 14. Priyanka Gandhi was appointed a Congress general secretary last month, a move that ended years of speculation over her induction into the party.Home to 80 Lok Sabha seats, Uttar Pradesh sends the highest number of MPs to Parliament, making it a key electoral battleground. The ruling BJP faces a challenge in the state from the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj alliance, while the Congress is trying hard to retrieve lost ground.Amethi and Rae Bareli, the Lok Sabha seats held by Priyanka Gandhi's brother Rahul Gandhi and mother Sonia Gandhi, are in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Varanasi constituency and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's stronghold Gorakhpur are also part of this region.