Priyanka Gandhi today trashed reports that she wanted to challenge Narendra Modi for the Lok Sabha seat from Varanasi and was stopped by the party high command, stating it is a “personal” decision not to contest and that her family would “wholeheartedly support” her if she ever wanted to.
Priyanka came out with a rare statement to journalists following reports this morning that she was keen to be the Congress candidate from Varanasi as she was willing to place a higher principle above the real risk of defeat.
“My decision to not contest is personal. I will only change it when I feel from within that I should,” she said.
She went on to reinforce her earlier remarks that she wanted to campaign only in Amethi, from where her brother is contesting, and in Rae Bareli, from where her mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi is fighting.
There has been speculation that the Congress is keen on Priyanka playing a bigger role in the party.
“My brother, mother and husband (Robert Vadra) would wholeheartedly support me if I ever wanted to (contest),” 42-year-old Priyanka said.