New Delhi: As the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls are closing in, Congress party gears up to make its presence felt in the major cities of the state with the latest being the announcement of campaign in-charge for the Allahabad district. Former Minister Nand Gopal Gupta 'Nandi' (42) from Congress has been made the campaign in-charge of the entire district of Allahabad. In an exclusive conversation with ABP Live's Anurag Kumar, Mr Nandi who was in 2007 elected from Allahabad constituency in Vidhan Sabha for the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), said-"It is an honour that the party high command has given me this responsibility. Allahabad is the birth place of late Jawaharlal Nehru and in this place getting this responsibility (of campaign in-charge) is a privilege."
Commenting about the opposition parties he said-"People of the state are fed-up with the Gundaraj of Samajwadi Party."
Taking a shot at the present BJP-BSP spat over Daya Shankar Singh issue Mr Nandi said, "As far as the BJP and BSP are concerned their present drama over Daya Shankar Singh is only for votes keeping in mind upcoming elections. BJP is giving air to the issue to get Dalits in their favour while Mayawati is expecting to bring Muslims into her fold. However, Muslim community this time is with the Congress."
 Image: Nand Gopal Gupta reaches Allahabad on 25/July/2016 after being announced campaign in-charge for the district. Anurag Kumar/ABP Live
As far as distribution of tickets are concerned Mr Nandi clarified-"Good, hardworking, honest people will be recommended for party tickets."
"I will make sure that the responsibility which is bestowed on me, gets fulfilled at all cost. And I assure everyone that I will make party win 75 per cent seats in my area", said ex-Minister of Homeopathy and hoped that his long goodwill in the district and adjoining areas will benefit the Congress party.
Talking about the prospects of Congress in Uttar Pradesh assembly elections Mr Nandi said-"I will not be able to comment about the entire state but I will make sure that in my area Congress party gets as many seats as possible."
He claimed that the trader community is with him and in his area party will come out with flying colours. In total, till now, Congress has announced campaign in-charges for 18 districts in the Uttar Pradesh.