Guwahati, February 19: Congress MP and Screening Committee Chairperson Priyanka Gandhi Vadra arrived in Guwahati on Thursday for a crucial two-day visit aimed at finalising the party’s list of candidates for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, expected in March–April.
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| Priyanka Gandhi Vadra offers prayers at Maa Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati during her two-day visit to Assam. (Image: X@priyankagandhi) |
She was received at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi along with other senior party leaders. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar also joined her during the visit.
Soon after her arrival, Gandhi visited the revered Kamakhya Temple atop the Nilachal Hills to offer prayers. Speaking to the media after the darshan, she said she had come to seek the blessings of Maa Kamakhya and added that it was a religious place where she would not discuss politics. She stated that she would respond to political queries at a later time.
In a post on social media, Gandhi shared that she sought the blessings of Maa Kamakhya for the welfare of Assam and the entire nation, wishing that the goddess’s grace remains upon every Indian.
Following her temple visit, she proceeded to Rajiv Bhawan, the APCC headquarters, where she began an extensive round of screening meetings. As chairperson of the party’s screening committee for the 126-member Assam Assembly, Gandhi is scheduled to meet members of the Political Affairs Committee and hold one-on-one discussions with MLAs, MPs, district presidents, and block-level leaders.
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APCC president Gaurav Gogoi said the visit reflects the central leadership’s seriousness about the Assam elections. He noted that grassroots workers and block presidents would have the opportunity to directly express their views during the screening process, which could extend up to 12 hours.
Senior leaders, including Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia and AICC general secretary in-charge of Assam Jitendra Singh, were present during the meetings.
Gandhi is also scheduled to unveil a “charge sheet” against the state’s BJP government later in the day. According to party sources, the first phase of the Congress candidates’ list is likely to be released by the end of February following consultations with the central leadership.
