Priyanka Gandhi to campaign in Amethi, Rae Bareli

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the daughter of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, will kick off her campaign for the Congress party in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi and Rae Bareli towns from February 13, a party leader said on Friday.

She will be campaigning in the two family boroughs, represented by her brother, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, and her mother, for five days.

As of now, Priyanka would only be campaigning for the 10 party candidates in the two parliamentary constituencies, the party leader told IANS, declining to be named.

At a later stage, Priyanka might canvass for joint candidates of the alliance, as well, he added.

"She has always been campaigning in Amethi and Rae Bareli. For the first time her name is in the star campaigners' list. If a person's name is not in the star campaigners' list, then the cost of availing the helicopter would be borne by the candidate of that particular constituency," said a party leader.

"If his/her name is there in the star campaigners' list then the cost of the helicopter would be borne by the party. There is a limit on the candidate, but not on the party. Now, it depends on her and it could be possible that she might campaign in few constituencies outside Amethi and Rae Bareli. It is for her to decide," he added.

The Congress and SP despite the alliance will face off in three constituencies - Amethi, Unchahaar and Gauriganj.

Meanwhile, Sonia Gandhi has also finalised her programme and would be making a rare appearance in Rae Bareli on February 20.

She has so far not hit the campaign trail due to her ill-health.

Rahul Gandhi will address a rally in Rae Bareli on February 18 and another in Amethi, his own parliamentary constituency, on February 24.

Amethi will go to polls on February 27, while Rae Bareli votes on February 23.

--IANS

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