Priyanka Gandhi, the person the Congress party hopes will revive its electoral fortunes, has very effectively handled UP CM Akhilesh Yadav by forging an alliance between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party. In fact, insiders confirm that both Priyanka and Akhilesh exchanged between 10 and 12 text messages that helped strike the deal.


In one of the messages, Priyanka is believed to have written (not verbatim): If you do not align with Congress, it that means the Samajwadi party is supporting the rule of BJP.

It did the trick.

Akhilesh replied saying that situation would never arise so long as Netaji (SP chief Mulayam Singh) is the driving force of the party.

The SP will now contest 298 seats out the total 403; the Congress 105.

The Times of India reported today that the CM's decision to call Priyanka was more proof of the central role played by Rahul Gandhi's sister in recent events. It indicated her political role has become more overt and may signal a more public profile in the coming months, opening the possibility of her contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

However, Akhilesh does not want to appear in Amethi with Rahul Gandhi in poll rallies since Rahul has criticised Akhilesh in a pre-alliance speech, the video of which is doing the rounds on WhatsApp.


Priyanka is trying to organise three poll meetings in Uttar Pradesh with Akhilesh, Rahul, Mulayam Singh, Sonia Gandhi and Dimple. The meetins will take place by the middle of  February.
 
Meanwhile, Akhilesh has announced that he will contest from Mubarakpur, while Mulayam Singh's daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav will contest from the Lucknow Canonment for the Samajwadi Party.   Read:The power bahus of Uttar Pradesh.