Priyanka Gandhi attended a Congress meeting on Tuesday in brother Rahul Gandhi's absence
Priyanka Gandhi today attended a Congress strategy meeting with senior party leaders amid reports that a major organizational revamp is on the cards. Her brother, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, was not present in the meeting that took place at his residence.
Sources say Priyanka Gandhi joined the meeting in the last five minutes. Senior leaders like Ahmed Patel and Jairam Ramesh, along with half a dozen other general secretaries were present.
The party tried to downplay her presence in the meeting where she discussed the campaign and tour programme of Mr Gandhi and his mother, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, ahead of the national election due by May. The implementation of the Centre's welfare schemes in Amethi and Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh - the constituencies of her brother and mother respectively - was also discussed.
"Priyanka Gandhi is a member of an important political family. Even though she does not take active part in politics, she is an active member and looks after election work at Rae Bareli and Amethi. She has political views, she meets workers and if she meets party leaders, what's new?" questioned Janardan Dwivedi, who was present at the meeting.
But Priyanka Gandhi's brief appearance in the meet has fueled speculation at a time the party is expected to make sweeping changes following its recent debacle in four state elections, and bring back ministers to the party.
That Rahul Gandhi was not present was also seen as significant in the middle of reports that the party is likely to name him as its prime ministerial candidate. An announcement is expected at a one-day Congress session in Delhi on 17 January.
Sources said Priyanka Gandhi, who has so far confined herself to managing her mother and brother's constituencies will help with campaigning but will not contest the Lok Sabha election.