First Sonia, then Rahul, now Priyanka...it will make no difference: BJP on UP polls

Taking a strong exception to the media reports on the possibility of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra leading the poll campaign in Uttar Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday said it makes no difference if the face of the election is Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka, as the Congress Party has lost its relevance now.

BJP leader Dinesh Sharma told ANI that the Congress won't get much in Uttar Pradesh and they have nothing to lose as well.

"Now this is their next trump card. First Sonia ji failed, then Rahul ji came. Now if Priyanka ji comes, then it means the Congress thinks Rahul ji is a failure. The Congress is living with a hope, but I think it will only get disappointment in Uttar Pradesh," he added.

Escalating his attack on the grand old party, Sharma said there is nothing left for the Congress in Uttar Pradesh.

"Where were they all this while if they cared so much about Uttar Pradesh? It is Congress' right to bring whom they want. But, the Congress has lost its identity in the Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabha elections. Earlier, people used to call it a national party, but now I think it has become a local party," he added.

Echoing similar sentiments, another BJP leader Nalin Kohli questioned the role of the Congress in Uttar Pradesh.

"In Uttar Pradesh, do they have any relevance.because they have already ousted themselves from the politics of Uttar Pradesh?" he told ANI.

He said the Bharatiya Janata Party's agenda is what Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government does.

"We are on the agenda of development and performance. The Congress cannot bring anyone but it's always funny to find that the media will keep discussing it because some people will keep throwing it in the media. Why do they keep introducing? If they want to bring someone, they should bring," he added.

Congress general secretary and party in charge of the Uttar Pradesh Affairs Ghulam Nabi Azad yesterday slammed media reports on the possibility of Priyanka leading the poll campaign in the state, where assembly elections are due in early 2017.

"I don't understand who gives such news to television and newspapers. No discussion has taken place in this regard. Reports of her becoming the chief of the Uttar Pradesh Poll Campaign Committee are wrong. If she campaigns during the election, its different thing but news of her becoming the chairman of the campaign committee is entirely wrong," Azad told ANI.

Reports in a section of media claimed that Priyanka Gandhi will lead the Congress' election campaign in the Uttar Pradesh election, while former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit is likely to be projected as the Chief Ministerial candidate.