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After centre snub, Priyanka to use Lucknow house to resurrect Congress base

After being asked by the centre to vacate the bungalow allocated to her in Lutyens Bungalow Zone (LBZ) in New Delhi, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi will relocate to Lucknow to strengthen party's base ahead of the 2022 state elections. Besides, Priyanka's relocation is being termed as her 'Indira moment' as the house belonged to Congress leader Shiela Kaul, the aunt of former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

Priyanka Gandhi
Priyanka Gandhi

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Published : Jul 2, 2020, 4:38 PM IST

Updated : Jul 2, 2020, 7:35 PM IST

Lucknow:Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi is all set to shift to Lucknow to revamp party's base ahead of the Uttar Pradesh elections in 2022. The move comes after the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, asked the Congress leader to vacate the bungalow allocated to her in Lutyens' Bungalow Zone (LBZ), citing the reasons of the withdrawal of SPG protection to her.

In a letter, the centre has asked Priyanka Gandhi to exit the bungalow on Lodhi Road in one of the most protected zones of Delhi as she no longer has Special Protection Group security.

After centre snub, Priyanka to use Lucknow house to resurrect Congress base

According to Congress sources, Lucknow will act as Priyanka Gandhi's new political base as she plans the revival of INC in the most populous state.

According to reports, she is going relocate to a bungalow located on Gokhale Marg in Lucknow.

Besides, Priyanka's relocation is being termed as her 'Indira moment' as the house belonged to Congress leader Shiela Kaul, the aunt of former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

Read:Center orders Priyanka Gandhi to vacate her house, Congress calls it "vendetta politics"

"The struggle against both (Narendra) Modi and Yogi (Adityanath) would go on," a source said and added, even Indira Gandhi had to go through such phases. The house has historical significance for Congress as former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi have planted samplings during their frequent visits to the place.

"Maintenance work of that house was started even before the Lockdown. She may soon shift to Lucknow," said the Congress sources.

Last year in November, the government had replaced the SPG cover of Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her children Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, with Z+ security by CRPF based on the threat assessment by security agencies.

The government has maintained that she is not entitled to government accommodation, but the Congress sees it as an act of revenge after Priyanka Gandhi started taking the government head-on.

Speaking on Priyanka's homecoming of sorts, Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Kumar Lallu stated that government is worried about Priyanka Gandhi's 'work'.

Targeting the central government, Ajay Kumar Lallu said that Priyanka Gandhi will continue to raise issues of public interest. "No one can be removed from one's heart by emptying the bungalow. Priyanka Gandhi resides in the hearts of all people of Uttar Pradesh," he said.

Last Updated : Jul 2, 2020, 7:35 PM IST

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