Updated April 16th, 2019 at 18:38 IST

POLITICAL SCOOP: Congress to not field Priyanka Vadra against PM Modi in Varanasi, party sources state 'her loss would be disastrous'

In a political scoop coming out of the Congress camp, Sources have revealed that Priyanka Vadra may not contest against PM Modi.

Reported by: Daamini Sharma
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Days after hinting that the Congress' General Secretary for Uttar Pradesh (East), Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, may contest the ongoing 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Varanasi against PM Modi, the Congress sources has now indicated that a certain camp within the party is unsure of Priyanka Vadra’s chances of winning. 

In a political scoop coming out of the Congress camp, Sources have revealed that Priyanka Vadra may not contest against PM Modi as a fraction of people in the party feels that 'her loss would be disastrous'. 

Earlier, a certain camp within the party had expressed the view that the newly appointed Congress leader should take on PM Modi in his home turf and that Priyanka Vadra has acquiesced to this request. The Congress also insistent that the Gathbandhan of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party should come out in support of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra if the battle does materialise. 

The final decision, however, was left in hands of party president Rahul Gandhi, though in this case as well,  a certain camp within the party was of the view that he was no reason to object now that Priyanka Vadra had given her nod, as per sources.

Additionally, as per sources, senior UP Congress leader Raj Babbar had confirmed in an off-record briefing that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had also advised Congress president Rahul Gandhi to declare Priyanka Gandhi as the joint-Opposition candidate and that ally NCP also concurred. 

Read: INEXPLICABLE: After Being Openly Dumped By Mayawati And Akhilesh, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Continues To Insist That Congress-SP-BSP Are In It Together

Meanwhile, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has raked up fresh controversy with her 'Hindu martyr-Muslim martyr' comment on Monday. Launching an attack on BJP, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra asked BJP: "Unn shahido ka jo Hindu hai, jo Muslaman hai". Addressing a gather, the Congress leader stated: 

"Aapse kaha jata hai ki aap desh dhrohi hai. Mai Mahelao se mili, adhyapako se mili, Kisano se mili jinko peeta gaya. Jab unhone pradarshan kiya, aapna haq manga, apna adhikar manga toh unko peeta gaya. Unpar taman Kanoon lagaye gaye , rasoka laga gaya aur unko bola ki tum Desh drohi ho, tum sawal uthatey ho. Prachar karne ke samay aap desh drohi, janata desh drohi aur sarkar kehti hai hum rashtravadi hain. BJP kehte hai hum rashtravadi hai. Mai puchte hoon aap rashtravadi hai toh shaheedon ka aadar kaeye. Unn shahido ka jo Hindu hai, jo Muslaman hai aur jo shaeed apke vipaksh ke neta ke pita hai unka bhi aadar kareye".  

(You are being told that you are anti-nationals. I met women, teachers, farmers who were beaten up. They were beaten when they raised their voice and asked for their rights and demanded justice. While campaigning, you all are anti-national, citizens are anti-national and just the government is Nationalist. BJP says they are Nationalists. I want to ask if you are Nationalists then resect martyrs. Respect those martyrs who are Hindu, who are Muslims and even the one who is the father of your opponent.)

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Published April 16th, 2019 at 18:38 IST