Priyanka Gandhi marks political debut with mega roadshow in Lucknow

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the newly-appointed Congress general secretary for East Uttar Pradesh, on Monday made her much-awaited political debut by holding a mega roadshow along with brother and party president Rahul Gandhi in Lucknow.

Wearing a light coloured kurta and churidar with a white dupatta around her neck, Priyanka continuously waved at the cheering crowd; shaking hands at times with people who flocked the streets in huge numbers.

The 47-year-old leader, standing next to Rahul, was also joined by party general secretary and in-charge of western Uttar Pradesh Jyotiraditya Scindia and PCC president Raj Babbar.

Priyanka's husband, Robert Vadra, also wished his wife over her "new journey".

"My best wishes to you P (Priyanka), on your new journey of working in Uttar Pradesh and serving the people of India. You have been my best friend, a perfect wife and the best mother to our children. There is a very vindictive and vicious political atmosphere... But I know, it's her duty to serve the people and now we hand her to the people of India. Please keep her safe," Vadra wrote on Facebook.

The enthusiastic gathering on the streets showered flowers on Priyanka and Rahul, who also adorned a white kurta-pyjama.

The duo sipped tea in between the roadshow. They also paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Earlier in the day, Rahul and Priyanka received a grand welcome in Lucknow as they were greeted with drum beats and loud cheers by thousands of supporters.

Party supporters were seen dancing, sloganeering and cheering ahead of Priyanka's maiden visit to Lucknow after assuming office earlier this month.

Soon after their arrival at Lucknow's Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, the senior leaders embarked on their road show atop a white bus.

Later they shifted to a smaller vehicle, as the leaders were given rousing reception by the crowd who had been waiting for a glimpse of Priyanka-Rahul.