Priyanka's entry will make Congressmen happy: Digvijaya

On a day the Congress saw power in Assam and Kerala slip out of its hands, a senior party leader on Thursday said the entry into politics of Gandhi family scion Priyanka Gandhi could energise the Congress rank and file.

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh also sought to insulate the party's central leadership from the electoral defeats in four states that went to polls on May 16.

"Priyanka is not in politics. If she comes into politics, it will make Congress workers happy," he told reporters here.

Singh said the Congress performance in the assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu is "saddening".

"However, in a democracy, you have to bow before the people's will. The Congress will now work even harder to win the trust of the people," the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister said.

Singh said the Congress central leadership could not be blamed for the electoral loss, and added that it was for the state leaders to notch up poll wins in their respective states.

"What has the Congress central leadership got to do with states like Assam or Tamil Nadu or West Bengal?"

Asked if the defeat will affect the possible anointment of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi as the party president, Singh said the two issues were "not connected".

Singh said the party will certainly stage a comeback. "Though it's a matter of concern, but we will fight back," he said.

--IANS

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