By Pradeep Kapoor
LUCKNOW: With her slogan Ladki hoon, lad sakti hoon Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi has succeeded in bringing her party into discussion ahead of Uttar Pradesh assembly polls. Priyanka Gandhi attempted to reach out to every household with her promise to keep 40 per cent seats reserved for women.
In an informal talk with this reporter recently Priyanka Gandhi exuded confidence that her party would do well in assembly polls. Priyanka said the overwhelming response to her slogan which reflected through huge turn out at her meetings in Chitrakoot and Moradabad, had made her confident.
Priyanka was happy with strengthening of party organisation at grass root and cadre training which was responsible for success of her meetings. Priyanka Gandhi said her party was reaching out to all those congress leaders who had become inactive during last few years. Priyanka Gandhi went a step ahead when she released party manifesto for women. Perhaps for the first time in the country, a separate manifesto was released for women which constitute half of total population.
Priyanka Gandhi promised various welfare schemes for women which include reservation of jobs, smartphones to students and three gas cylinders, a separate commission to look into the complaints of women. Priyanka Gandhi claimed that her party would work for women empowerment and end the politics based on caste and religious considerations.
Besides promising various welfare schemes for women, Priyanka Gandhi has brought her party workers on streets to take Yogi government head on concerning the issues of farmers, atrocities on women, minorities and dalits. Priyanka Gandhi herself is making efforts to visit the families of victims and all those suffering due to mishandling by the state administration.
There is a perception in the state that Priyanka Gandhi, s efforts would certainly increase the vote share of party and may spring surprise results in certain constituencies. Priyanka Gandhi has focussed on women voters and if her message is taken seriously by this segment then state would witness a scenario which would be different from caste and communal politics. (IPA Service)