2017 Assembly elections: Congress to invoke Indira’s Allahabad connection

Having referred to Rae Bareli as “karma bhumi” of Indira, the Congress leadership is now all set to project Allahabad as “janma bhumi” of Indira on a grand scale in the new campaign.

Ahead of the 2017 Assembly elections in UP, Congress is planning to launch a year-long nationwide campaign in which the party will invoke former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Nehru-Gandhi family’s association with Allahabad. Having referred to Rae Bareli as “karma bhumi” of Indira (she used to contest elections from here) for many years now, the Congress leadership is now all set to project Allahabad as “janma bhumi” of Indira on a grand scale in the new campaign.

Even though the year-long campaign is yet to be given a final shape at the AICC level, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, during her recent surprise visit to Allahabad, spoke about the party’s plan at a party meeting. Congress MLA from Allahabad Anugrah Narain Singh, who led the delegation of local leaders while meeting Sonia, told The Indian Express, “We requested her to be present in Allahabad on the occasion of the birth centenary of Indira Gandhi and participate in the programme here. She assured us that the entire Gandhi family as well as party’s senior leadership would be in Allahabad on November 19 this year to mark the day.”

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“The countrywide campaign on Indira which will highlight the Congress’s contribution to the nation would be launched from here. Swaraj Bhawan would be made the headquarters of the campaign,” Singh added.

Elaborating further on the campaign, Singh said, “This campaign would be the perfect answer to the BJP, which has been shouting that the country has done nothing in the past 60 years. Instead of seminars, the party would go to villages with a report card of Congress rule, talk about Indira Gandhi and the Gandhi-Nehru family connection and discuss the policies adoped by previous governments, including the BJP.”

Asked why Allahabad, Indira’s birthplace, did not get priority in the recent past, Singh cited “busy schedule” but claimed “the connect was always there”.

Maulshree Seth

Maulshree Seth is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, based in Lucknow. With over 15 years of experience in mainstream journalism, she has built a formidable reputation for her on-ground reporting across Uttar Pradesh. Her expertise spans a wide array of critical beats, including state politics, governance, the judiciary, and rural development. Authoritativeness Maulshree’s work is characterized by depth and historical context. Her coverage of high-stakes state elections and landmark judicial rulings has established her as an authoritative voice on the intersection of law and politics in Northern India. She is frequently recognized for her ability to gain access to primary sources and for her nuanced understanding of the socio-economic factors that drive the world's most populous sub-national entity. Trustworthiness & Ethical Journalism Her reporting is rooted in rigorous fact-checking and a steadfast dedication to neutral, unbiased storytelling. By prioritizing field-based verification—often traveling to the most remote corners of the state—she ensures that her readers receive a truthful and comprehensive view of events. ... Read More

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