PRIYANKA, THE CHARISMATIC WEAPON IN CONGRESS ARSENAL

There is intense speculation on whether the entry of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Parliament would lead to the creation of yet another power centre within her own party and whether those opposed to her on the treasury benches would devise some new way of containing her.

- PANKAJ VOHRA

Indira Gandhi's granddaughter, is set to make her Lok Sabha debut this week, thus raising huge expectations amongst her followers. She has the charisma and the ability to connect with the people and her speeches during the campaign of the Parliamentary poll provided indications that she would never be taken lightly by her opponents. She was the only one who matched the Prime Minister when it came to a political combat, though Narendra Modi is far more experienced and astute as a politician and Priyanka has to go a long way to match his political skills.

Nevertheless, she has the uncanny sense that would put some life in a demoralized Congress, particularly after the massive defeat in Maharashtra. She has to understand that if she has to augment her brother, Rahul's efforts as the leader of Opposition, she would have to contribute in strengthening the organization, which needs a complete overhaul.

There has been a continuous debate within the party that she was one of the two power centres, and her being active in Parliament now may bring to surface the latent sibling rivalry that has always existed. What needs to be clearly understood is that Priyanka would never try to upstage her brother, and in fact would play second fiddle to him while taking on the government and its supporters in and outside Parliament. The Gandhis may have their share of differences on vital matters, but they have never allowed these to show in public.