Priyanka Gandhi Vadra an experienced leader: Ashok Chavan

Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan Wednesday hailed Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's formal entry into politics saying her appointment as an AICC general secretary augurs well for the party in politically crucial Uttar Pradesh. In a significant move, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi appointed his sister Priyanka as the general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East. She will take over her new assignment from the first week of February.

Terming the development as a "heartening moment" for Congress workers, Chavan also welcomed appointment of Madhya Pradesh Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia as AICC general secretary for Uttar Pradesh West. "Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is a good administrator and experienced leader," the former Maharashtra chif minister said while referring to her role in handling parliamentary constituencies of Raebarelli and Amethi over the last few years.

He said Priyanka's contribution was also instrumental in the Congress' successive victories in the two seats--the pocket-boroughs of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. "We are happy Priyanka is given a wider responsibility in Uttar Pradesh politics. It is a heartening moment for all Congress workers. Under her able leadership, Congress will definitely register an outstanding victory in UP," he said.

A string of Congress leaders have also welcomed Priyanka's formal political foray. Mumbai Congress president and former Lok Sabha MP Sanjay Nirupam said Priyanka's entry into politics will "strengthen" the hands of Rahul Gandhi.

"Great decision by Hon Congress President @RahulGandhi to appoint Priyanka ji and @JM_Scindia as general secretary in charge UP east and west. It will strengthen the hands of CP (Congress President). Congratulations to both of them," he tweeted. Former minister and sitting MLA Naseem Khan said the development will boost the morale of Congress workers.

"Lakhs of Congress workers and office-bearers have been demanding that Priyanka be brought into active politics. She is a good orator and her active participation in the party affairs will further boost the image of Congress, and bring the party back in power after LS polls," he said.

Congress leader Kripashankar Singh said the party workers were elated. "We all are extremely happy as we all will now be able to see Priyankaji's active participation in politics. This was a long-pending demand from all the quarters of the party and supporters. Now each and every worker and leader of the party is feeling energised," he added.

Meanwhile, addressing a public rally at Mahad in the coastal Konkan region as a part of his party's "Jan Sampark Abhiyan", Ashok Chavan said the people of the country wanted a "Congress yukt Bharat". Referring to his party's victory in recent assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, Chavan said the people wanted Congress to return to power as they are fed up with Modi government's "false promises".

He said the BJP-led NDA government in Maharashtra is a "failure" on all fronts employment generation, inflation, law and order, and implementation of the farm loan waiver..

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)