Not running for CM in UP: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra issues clarification

Quashing rumours that she would be running for the post of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has issued a clarification that she is not the party's CM candidate in the upcoming assembly polls and the speculation was due to remarks made during an interview that were taken out of context.

During the launch of the Congress party's "Bharti Vidhan" youth manifesto for Uttar Pradesh at a press conference in New Delhi, Priyanka Gandhi was asked about the Congress CM candidate in Uttar Pradesh to which she replied: "Do you see anybody else's face from the Congress party [in UP]? You can see my face everywhere."

Priyanka's clarification specified that it was irritation at media persons who she said asked the same question repeatedly that caused her to make such a remark.

Her remark was considered as a major indication on Congress' chief ministerial candidate for the assembly elections scheduled in February and March over seven phases. Congress has not projected a CM candidate in any of the five poll-bound states, while the BJP has announced its CM candidates in all those states.

The Congress youth manifesto is seen as another step in the party's plan to counter caste bastions in the state with focus on women and young people, as the Congress's had already announced a 40% reservation for women party workers in terms of seats.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the people of UP had not been "given anything" in the last 25 years. The Congress' "new vision" was not just "empty words" but a clear strategy, Priyanka said at the Delhi press conference. The party's poll promises for the youth include filling 1.2 million government posts currently lying vacant and generating another 8 lakh private jobs along with promotion of local skills.

Gandhi Vadra added that the current state government's plan of "one district, one product" would be revised and the Congress would promote a cluster approach to support local industries. Fees for job exams would be waived and a single-window scholarship portal would be launched, she said. .

Among other promises in the manifesto are: opportunities for children of sanitation workers; a ₹5 lakh loan to businesspeople from the most backward classes; a de-addiction centre with headquarters in Lucknow; a youth festival annually to showcase local talent; and world-class cricket academies for cricket and other sports.

The voting in Uttar Pradesh will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.