Mandela my inspiration, told me to join politics: Priyanka

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, July 18

For the first time since she entered formal politics this January, AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra today made a Twitter reference to voice her political ambitions and recalled how Nelson Mandela once told her to join politics before anyone else did.

Visibly active on Twitter in contrast to brother and outgoing Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka used the occasion of Mandela’s birth anniversary today to say “the world misses men like Nelson Mandela more than ever today. His life was a testament to truth, love and freedom. To me, he was Uncle Nelson (who told me I ought to be in politics long before anyone else did!). He will always be my inspiration and my guide.” 

Vadra tweeted an old picture of her son with the late South African President, and captioned it, “Laughing heartily at my son’s fancy topi in 2001.”

As news about the tweet spread, Congress circles were abuzz with what’s on Priyanka’s mind at a time when her brother had firmly renounced the party throne and was learnt to be holidaying abroad. Even yesterday Priyanka’s tweet about the Kulbhushan Jadhav verdict preceded that of Rahul.

Today’s tweet by Priyanka came a day after Congress leaders Anil Shastri and Abhijit Mukherjee urged her to take control of the party.

“I am not surprised ,” a veteran Congress man said on Priyanka’s tweet mirroring her political urges. The developments follow complete chaos in the Congress about the issue of succession in the party.

Although Rahul has been insisting the party presidency should go to a non-Gandhi, trends indicate anything can happen.

Priyanka’s tweet today using Mandela to buttress her political credentials is being seen in Congress circles as her willingness to take over. 

All eyes are now on UPA chief Sonia Gandhi who always wanted her son, rather than the daughter, as the heir.

Cong circles abuzz: She’s here to stay  

• Unlike her brother Rahul Gandhi who is firm on relinquishing the Congress president’s post, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s has hinted at that she’s in for a long haul in politics
• Her tweet on late South African President Nelson Mandela is being seen in Congress circles as a veiled message that she is willing to take over the party’s reign from Rahul