With party veteran Vasant Sathe pitching for Priyanka Gandhi’s active political participation, the Congress on Monday maintained that it was for her to decide whether to enter active politics.
Responding to a question relating to Mr Sathe’s suggestion, AICC spokesperson Manish Tewari said, “Whatever she (Priyanka) has to do in her life is her personal decision and it should be left to her.”
Noting that he has not seen the report on Mr Sathe’s remarks, Mr Tewari said, “But if anyone has given his individual opinion then the question should be asked to him.”
Asked whether Priyanka’s entry into active politics would overshadow younger brother Rahul Gandhi’s charisma, Mr Tewari said, “This is an inappropriate and mischievous question.”
Mr Sathe had said that if the Congress’ “first family” — Sonia Gandhi, Rahul and Priyanka — embarked on a vigorous mass contact drive in the months and years to come, the party could restore the past glory of single party rule in the next Lok Sabha polls.
The 86-year-old former Union minister had said that after Sonia, Priyanka is the one who has more mass appeal as compared to Rahul but she was not coming forward in active politics as she apparently feels her brother will be “sidelined”.
Mr Sathe, who was a close associate of Indira Gandhi, said that the late leader in her difficult days struck a rare chord with people through her mass appeal and contact and the same should be emulated now.