With just a few weeks left for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, all eyes are set on states which can play an instrumental role in formation of the government. Uttar Pradesh for its massive contribution of MP’s, 80 out of the total 543 to the Lok Sabha, has been crucial in formation of government.
The new kid on the block Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who has been campaigning in eastern Uttar Pradesh for the Congress party, while on a political tour in Ayodhya refused to visit the site of the Shri Ram Mandir. When asked why she had not visited the shrine, she said “Ab sub judice hai isliye (Because the matter is sub judice)”
Congress party with its conveniently flexible stand on the issue of Ram Mandir has been trying to subvert the issue. Keeping the dynastic approach to politics alive, Priyanka Gandhi’s entrance in politics though much speculated had failed to surprise anyone. With a huge Congress-cozy media frenzy waiting to glorify Priyanka Gandhi Vadra even before she had put foot on the political soil, says lengths about the propaganda machinery which has been nurtured over decades. Media has been busy equating Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to her grandmother Indira Gandhi, however she is yet to prove her mettle .Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was given the responsibility to revive Congress electoral standing in eastern UP, has been on a ‘much hyped’ tour of the State.
Congress campaign has been focusing on shedding its anti-Hindu Image, packed with temple visits and a campaign boat ride of Ganga, Priyanka dropping the visit to the Ramjanmabhumi site is confusing. Priyanka Vadra was brought in to revive the age old party, which has been rapidly losing ground post the 2014 general elections, however her stint, though small, has surely cleared a few doubts. With Mahagathbandhan in UP snubbing Congress, Congresses electoral path is sure to be a roller costar ride.
Priyanka’s campaign tour in Ayodhya also provides an inside picture into the mindset of the ‘new’ entrant. While interacting with people in the streets of Ayodhya, Priyanka kept her focus on targeting PM Modi using age old rhetoric’s “Modi had gone to Pakistan in 2015 to eat biryani,” said the Congress general secretary., keeping the highly sensitive topic of Ram Mandir off the discussions , Priyanka who is attempting to free congress of its anti Hindu image is bound to bear no fruit, however her move is sure to help Congress to consolidate its Muslim vote in the region.
Congress’ ambiguous stand on the issue of Ram Mandir is an inconsequential move to influence voters in the much crucial state of Uttar Pradesh. Congress in the past has also attempted to delay legal proceedings on the issue. Kapil Sibal a senior Congress leader in December 2017 had asked the courts to defer the hearing of the issue until the next Lok Sabha elections. While maintaining the status-quo Congress has ultimately reinforced its anti-Hindu image. Priyanka Vadra, by visiting lord Ram’s shrine had a golden opportunity to show solidarity with crores of devotees around the world, however her choosing consolidation over solidarity, will not go unnoticed by the voters.
