After Congress faced a devastating defeat at the hands of their rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Lok Sabha elections, it has become apparent that newly-appointed Congress member Priyanka Gandhi's campaigning strategies have not worked for the party. Priyanka campaigned in 12 Lok Sabha constituencies outside Uttar Pradesh, including Wayanad. The election verdict was not in favour of the party as out of the 12 seats, the party lost 11. The only seat Congress won was Wayanad, Kerala, where Rahul Gandhi won by a massive margin of over 4 lakh votes.
The 11 seats the party lost were: Silchar in Assam, Ambala, Hisar and Rohtak in Haryana, North-East Delhi and South Delhi, Ratlam and Indore in Madhya Pradesh and Mandi in Himachal Pradesh.
Within Uttar Pradesh, where Priyanka campaigned, Congress got only one seat, Rae Bareli, where Sonia Gandhi won by 1.67 lakh votes.
A key reason for this could be her aggressive takedown of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policies during the campaigning season. Another reason for her campaigning tactics not bearing fruit can be her approach of being her brother's supportive role with Rahul taking the lead during the election campaigning.
Priyanka's subtle approach of connecting to the masses also could not win votes for the party. She spoke in Punjabi and even showed respect for Modi supporters.
She had already told party workers that she is not here to perform any magic and the first agenda that has to be addressed is strengthening their party's grassroots.
Her joining the party and becoming an active member of the party had created a buzz during the Lok Sabha polls but have now failed to revive the party's hopes for the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, which are scheduled for 2022.
Political analyst Zoya Hassan, in an interview with CNBCTV18.COM, before the run-up to the general elections had said:
"Even though Priyanka Gandhi is charismatic, popular, enjoys a connect with the party workers and cadres and probably with segments of voters as well, yet, it is hard to imagine that in two months she is going to produce some magical results, when the Congress is down to two seats in Uttar Pradesh in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections."
The 47-year-old budding politician was appointed as the AICC general secretary in-charge Uttar Pradesh (east) in January. Priyanka joined the party on January 23 this year.
First Published: May 24, 2019 2:09 PM IST
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