Soon after RPN Singh left the Congress to join the BJP, the Congress issued a critical statement in what it said was Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s words.
The war waged by Congress across the country, notably in Uttar Pradesh, is a battle against government resources and agencies. It is a struggle of ideology and truth, and to fight a battle as fiercely fought as this one, you must fight with courage and determination. “I do not believe this is a battle for cowards,” said Congress spokesman Supriya Shrinate addressing reporters.
“As Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, you have to be on your toes, you have to have bravery, you can not be a coward and fight this battle,” she continued. In Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka Gandhi is leading the Congress campaign. She has lost three key leaders in the state after taking over as the party’s UP in-charge in 2019.
In the 2019 national election, Jyotiraditya Scindia was in charge of UP alongside Priyanka Gandhi. Still, the following year, he deserted the party and took several Madhya Pradesh MLAs with him, forcing the Congress administration in the state to collapse.
Jitin Prasada, a crucial Brahmin face of the party in UP, resigned and joined the BJP last year.
Mr Scindia, Mr Prasada, and RPN Singh were all close to the Gandhis and members of Rahul Gandhi’s so-called inner circle.
Mr Singh was also a renowned OBC (Other Backward Class) politician in Uttar Pradesh for the Congress.
The addition of Mr Singh and Akhilesh Yadav’s cousin Aparna Yadav to the BJP’s ranks corrects the optics after other backward caste leaders left the party in recent weeks.
Beginning on February 10, the UP will vote in seven parts. On March 10, the votes will be tallied.