UP Election | ‘Most Popular Political Figure’: PL Punia Says Priyanka Gandhi To Be Face Of Congress Campaign

Punia, who has been given charge of the election campaign committee in Uttar Pradesh, said the Congress has very rarely announced a chief ministerial face.

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary)

New Delhi: Asserting AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is the most popular political figure in Uttar Pradesh presently, Congress leader P.L. Punia on Sunday said she will be the face of the grand old party’s election campaign in the state.

Punia, who has been given charge of the election campaign committee in Uttar Pradesh, said the Congress has very rarely announced a chief ministerial face.

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The Congress leader added that not having declared one till now will not hamper the party’s chances as it already has a personality like Priyanka Gandhi to lead the charge against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Expressing confidence, Punia said it is a direct contest between the Congress and the BJP in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, adding both the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) have “fallen behind” and were “not in the fight anymore”.

Showering praises on Priyanka Gandhi, the Congress leader said she has fought for truth on all issues.

He added when the Lakhimpur Kheri incident happened, she immediately left to meet the family of the victims, and was detained in Sitapur, but remained determined in her quest for justice.

Punia further said she was “successful” in her struggle and went to Lakhimpur Kheri and Bahraich to meet the victims’ families.

“Earlier also -- be it Sonbhadra, Unnao or Hathras incidents -- Priyanka Gandhi had fought for justice,” he added.

Underscoring that people of Uttar Pradesh are impressed by Priyanka Gandhi, Punia said no politician is more popular than her currently in the entire state.

 “As far as around whom the campaign will be centred, we are fortunate that Priyanka Gandhi is available for (campaigning) all the time,” Punia told PTI in an interview.

“The election campaign will revolve around Priyanka Gandhi,” he added.

Highlighting the violence in Lakhimpur Kheri earlier on October 3, the Congress leader lashed out at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for defending the perpetrators.

Punia said the Lakhimpur Kheri incident and justice for farmers would be important issues in the upcoming elections and added that the way the farmers were “trampled upon” was a condemnable incident.

“What was more appalling was that those in power gave protection to the perpetrators (of the crime). Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said no one will be arrested without evidence which was an indication that seeking arrest of the Union minister's son is wrong,” he said.

Accusing the ruling party of indulging in communal polarisation to divert attention from real issues, including farmers’ plight, price rise and the state of law and order, Punia said: “It is always the case with BJP-RSS people that when they see that they are losing on issues such as governance, law and order situation, the state is number one in terms of crime, in terms of crimes against women, in crimes and atrocities against scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, so to save themselves from the anger of the people, they resort to polarization.”