After appointing senior party leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad as the AICC general secretary incharge of Uttar Pradesh, the Congress has started the search for new faces to replace the party state president and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader along with the leader to head party’s campaign committee for 2017 Assembly polls. Working on the recommendations of poll strategist Prashant Kishor, Congress is looking for especially Brahmin and Dalit faces now, sources in the party said. Among the front runners for party state president’s post include former MP from Varanasi Rajesh Mishra, who was given significant responsibility during Bihar elections and had travelled with vice-president Rahul Gandhi. Mishra, however, faces opposition from a group of party leaders in Varanasi. Speaking to The Indian Express, Mishra said that he has not been indicated about any such responsibility, but he would be present in Lucknow on June 16 for a meeting with Azad. [related-post] Watch Video: What's making news Another name, which is being discussed, is that of former Union Minister Jitin Prasada. Few months ago, Prasada had raised the issue of “class-based reservation” and had advised to make it an issue in UP elections as well. While some have also suggested the name of Rajya Sabha member Pramod Tiwari, sources informed that after being sent to the Upper House with the support of Samajwadi Party, he was unlikely to be given the state responsibility. Sources also informed that name of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit is being considered for heading the campaign committee. “She is from Uttar Pradesh and people had raised voice, when she was given responsibility of Delhi. So it will be like a homecoming for her but finally it is the party high command that has to take the call,” said a senior party leader. The party leader said that the Congress may fall back on “the Brahmin card formula while selecting the state party president or even as head of campaign committee. At the same time, the party would also present a Dalit face, most likely at the level of Congress Legislature Party.” Party is considering changes at the level of CLP leader, especially after exit of its six MLAs, who cross-voted for BSP and BJP during the recent Rajya Sabha and MLC elections in the state. Among the names being considered for the job, top on the list is that of Gajraj Singh, a Dalit MLA from reserved Hapur Assembly constituency in western UP. To keep its caste equation balanced, party is also considering giving responsibility to Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Sinh, who hails from Amethi. Sinh, who has a hold among Thakurs, has being sidelined for a long time in the party. Meanwhile, the party is busy making preparations to accord a grand welcome to Azad. The task has been given to a select team of leaders, who have planned a chain of events from airport to UPCC office in Lucknow.
