Click to play videoNew Delhi: A down and out Congress In Uttar Pradesh looking to revive its fortunes in the politically crucial state and is pinning its hopes on Rahul Gandhi. Gandhi will begin his campaign with a road show in Meerut.
Rahul Gandhi won the Lok Sabha election from Amethi in 2004. For the Congress party he was the new poster boy - the hope that would revive the grand old party to its past glory especially in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh.
However four years down the line the Rahul Gandhi effect is yet to take shape. With only nine MP's and 15 MLA's in their kitty the party is struggling for survival.
Congress leader Rajiv Shukla said, “It took 15 years for the party to loose its control there. You have to give him time.''
The 35-year-old MP has kept a low profile so far only restricting himself to his constituency and Rae Bareli where he managed his mother's by-election in 2006.
Except for his maiden speech in Parliament highlighting the plight of the sugarcane farmers in UP or the keen interest he showed in reaching out to the youth through special camps in Chitrakoot and Gorukhpur, Gandhi junior is yet to define his brand of politics. Yet the young cadres in the party believe in his leadership.
Congress leader Jitin Prasada said, “It’s not just the youth in UP but across the country that look up to him.''
With Uttar Pradesh going to the polls, Rahul is ready to hit the campaign trail. First stop Meerut where the young leader will be wooing voters. The Assembly elections will be the first real battle he will cut his teeth on.
It’s been nearly 20 years since the Congress party held the reigns of power in Uttar Pradesh. With the party desperate to revive its hold in the Hindi heartland all hopes are pinned on Rahul Gandhi.
The question is will this young leader be able to match up to all the expectations.
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