UP Congress in Turmoil Ahead Of 2024 Lok Sabha Polls: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's Absence Fuels Speculations

As all political parties gear up for next year's Lok Sabha polls, uncertainty is hanging over the Congress's preparedness in Uttar Pradesh.

The announcement of its state executive committee has been pending for a long time, while other parties train their cadre for the upcoming battle.

AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has reportedly not actively engaged in the affairs of the UP Congress.

Her last visit to Lucknow was in June 2022, during the party's "Navsankalpa Camp" at that time.

UP Congress president Brijlal Khabri claims to have sent the names for a new executive committee to the party high command. However, the list is yet to be approved, and the high command may make some changes to it, The Indian Express reported citing sources.

“The names have been sent and the committee is expected anytime soon,” Khabri was quoted as saying by IE.

It has been nine months since Khabri assumed the role of Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) chief.

After the resignation of former state president Ajay Kumar Lallu, who took responsibility for the party's failure in the 2022 Assembly polls, Khabri was seen as Priyanka's choice for the post, as reported by the Indian Express.

Khabri, a former BSP leader and MP, was projected as the Dalit face of the Congress, as it hopes for a revival in the state after many years.

Following this, the party leadership appointed six zonal presidents to oversee different regions.

However, the formation of a state executive committee to support Khabri is still pending, even after nine months.

In the meantime, Khabri has taken the initiative to conduct divisional meetings and has scheduled additional meetings in July.

Speculations about the future of Uttar Pradesh's Congress leadership are circulating, with some suggesting Rahul Gandhi's team might take over or a completely new face might be assigned.

Party leaders are anticipating that the Congress Working Committee meeting will bring much-needed clarity to the situation.

"The way things are moving here, it is clear that Priyanka ji has left Uttar Pradesh," a senior Congress leader was quoted as saying by IE.

"Some are saying that Rahul Gandhi’s team might take over to some extent, or Uttar Pradesh might be allotted a completely new face. Amidst all these speculations, everyone is waiting and watching for the central Congress Working Committee meeting to take place," the Congress leader added.

Some even foresee changes at the state level as well as the AICC level for Uttar Pradesh, and thus none of the leaders are proactively starting any big statewide campaigns. Even the zonal presidents are limiting themselves to local meetings.

Over three years ago, when Lallu was the state unit chief, the UPCC last received a new executive committee. Priyanka, who took charge of the UP party affairs as the AICC general secretary, approved the committee.

The panel consisted of a mix of old and new faces, giving due significance to the caste combinations.

Despite being in charge of UP, Priyanka has not been seen at the party's state headquarters for over a year. Previously, she personally visited the state after every significant incident.

Party leaders state that her last visit was in the first week of June 2022, when she participated in a Navsankalpa Camp.

The event aimed to discuss the party's revival plan following the 2022 Assembly poll debacle.

A senior party leader stated, 'We have accepted that change is coming, but we don't have a clue about what that change would be. We are unsure whether the Gandhi family would completely leave Uttar Pradesh or continue to play a decision-making role, even if remotely.'"