From Welcomes To Dynasty Charges, How Politicians Reacted To Priyanka Gandhi's Entry Into Politics

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was on Wednesday appointed AICC general secretary in-charge for Uttar Pradesh East by her brother and party chief Rahul Gandhi.

As the announcement reached corners of the country, it drew sharp reactions from all quarters.

While Congress leaders and many opposition leaders welcomed the Gandhi scion upon her official foray into politics ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its leaders were not essentially considerate in their comments.

Here is how leaders across parties reacted to the development:

Slamming what it called a "family alliance", the BJP described Priyanka's formal entry into the Congress an admission by the party that Rahul Gandhi has "failed" in providing leadership.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said Congress president has opted for a "family alliance" after facing "rejection" from various parties of the proposed grand alliance.

"The Congress has basically publicly announced that Rahul Gandhi has failed and needs crutches from within the family. Because of his rejection by grand alliance parties, he has opted for a family alliance," he said.

Along the same lines, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman took potshots at Congress over the development, saying it was a step that took forward dynastic politics.

"It was an appointment based on family," which showed that dynastic politics has gone two steps forward," she told reporters here when asked about the matter.

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad congratulated Priyanka for her new role and said appointing office-bearers is entirely the Congress party's concern.

"Since for Congress, the party is a family concern, these kinds of postings are nothing unusual except to say with the caveat as to why she has been given the role of incharge of only eastern UP. Perhaps her persona narrates a much wider role for her," Prasad told reporters while replying to a question after the Cabinet meeting.

JD(U) vice president Prashant Kishor reacted via Twitter, saying that it is "one of the most awaited entries in Indian politics".

On the other hand the BJP Uttar Pradesh unit sought to link Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s “fall” in his party to the “rise” of Priyanka Gandhi.

"Congratulations to Priyanka Gandhi on her appointment and assignment,” senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and UP minister Siddharth Nath Singh said.

“However, it is also an admission that in the Gandhi family, the dependence on Rahul is over,” he added.

"It is good that one by one Gandhi family members are being tested in Indian politics and are being rejected. Now is the turn of Priyanka Gandhi," Singh said.

Senior Congress leader and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath said appointments of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Jyotiraditya Scindia as general secretaries will give a big boost to the party's prospects in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

"This (Priyanka's appointment) was long overdue and was in offing for about six months. This will be a big boost for the party in a state as important as Uttar Pradesh," Nath said.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said "It used to be discussed in media, common people and among workers that when will Priyanka Gandhi come into politics. Congress president Rahul Gandhi has appointed her. Congress will be strengthened by this".

"This will also strengthen the agenda of Rahul Gandhi for the country, for ending Modi rule and for sending fascist powers back home," he added.

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, taking to Twitter said Priyanka brings with her the grace of the Gandhi-Nehru lineage and her immense personal charm.

Congress ally JD(S) leader and Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy also tweeted, welcoming Priyanka into the political fold.