Priyanka campaigns in Amethi

MUNSHIGANJ (AMETHI): Amid reports of resentment among Congress workers over the distribution of tickets for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Priyanka Gandhi-Vadera on Friday took over the reins of the party's campaigning in 10 Assembly seats of Rae Bareli and Amethi Parliamentary constituencies.
Rae Bareli and Amethi are represented by Ms. Vadera's mother, Sonia Gandhi and brother, Rahul Gandhi, and are considered to be VIP seats in Congress circles. Selection of candidates for the 10 Assembly constituencies are left entirely to the discretion of the Gandhi family.
Immediately on her arrival at the Munshiganj Guest House from Lucknow in the afternoon, Ms. Vadera presided over a workers' convention and reviewed the Congress poll preparedness in Jagdishpur, Gauriganj and Amethi Assembly constituencies, which come under the Amethi Parliamentary constituency. The Congress MLA from Amethi, Amita Singh said that Ms. Vadera will camp in Rae Bareli and Amethi till April 28 and supervise the election campaign. Elections in Rae Bareli and Amethi will be held in the fifth phase on April 28.
At the closed door meeting with Congress workers, Ms. Vadera is reported to have been briefed by the constituency incharges and party workers about the ground situation, including the activities of those who were working against the interest of the authorised party candidates. Party insiders said a separate note on each constituency was prepared at her behest. Later, she held separate meetings with the candidates of Gauriganj, Amethi and Jagdishpur.
Insiders said the resentment was mainly on account of the caste profile of the candidates selected for the 10 seats in the twin constituencies. While four Thakurs, two Muslims, two each from the Backward Castes and SCs have been given tickets, there is no place for the Brahmins.