Priyanka slams BJP over 'political tourist' statement

Lucknow: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slammed the BJP over its statement that she was a 'political tourist', on Sunday.

"I am not a political tourist. I have been regularly coming to UP. This is BJP's propaganda to show me and my brother Rahul as non-serious politicians and we are not going to be cowed down by it," Priyanka said in an informal interaction with media persons.

Priyanka criticised that the BJP repeatedly wanted to create a narrative about she and Rahul not being serious politicians.

"They (BJP) have created a perception that I have been away from UP since the past one and a half year whereas the fact remains that I have been regularly attending kisan panchayat and other programmes," she said.

When asked about the future of the Congress in UP in the upcoming elections, she responded, "I admit that our organization is weak compared to other parties. We have been out of power here for 32 years. But we are working on building up the organization and the journey is long. I am personally working 24X7 with all district units."

However, Priyanka did not give a clear picture on the possibility of the Congress forging an alliance in the next assembly elections.

"We are not close minded on the issue. It is too early to say anything about this but we will take a decision that is not detrimental to the interests of the organization or the party" Priyanka clarified.

Meanwhile, Priyanka is on the third day of her visit to Lucknow, trying to meet maximum number of party workers and groups ahead of the upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh