New Delhi: In choosing Sheila Dikshit, Congress hopes that the 78-year-old three time Delhi chief minister would give the party some space in the crowded Uttar Pradesh battle ground.
Sheila Dikshit, who had at first refused to be the CM candidate, finally had to agree to the request from the Gandhis.While one may wonder what Sheila stands to gain from this new assignment, the question also arises as to what Congress stands to gain.
First the stature. Congress felt that she would be better equipped for a face-off with Mulayam Singh, Mayawati and PM Narendra Modi. Congress needs to be in the talking space and Sheila could ensure that
Sheila is a Brahmin face and is also 'UP ki bahu' - her father-in-law is from Unnao - who could use both her arguments to ensure upswing for the Congress. She could also use her Delhi development model to counter Modi and Amit Shah's pitch for development in the state .
But choosing Sheila also means Rahul's logic of giving youth a chance has taken a backseat. For Sheila, a defeat after years in politics may not sit well. She had taken her crushing defeat at Kejriwal's hands badly and has not yet recovered completely.
Sheila's name as CM has certainly put pressure on the BJP to announce their cM face as well.
Talking about her new role, Sheila said, "UP is a big challenge. I wish to fulfil the responsibility sincerely and help Congress improve its performance."
Dikshit also said she would request Priyanka Gandhi to campaign across the state, though the party is yet to announce an active role for her in the UP polls.
"All Congress workers want her to campaign as she is very popular among the people. I do hope that she will make up her mind to campaign," said Sheila, adding "she will be very big asset," he said.
Sheila's 15-year tenure in Delhi as CM ended with the emergence of AAP in 2013 polls in which Congress lost power. She was later appointed governor of Kerala by the UPA government in March 2014, and she resigned from the post in August that year.
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