Sheila Dikshit may be Congress face for U.P. Assembly elections

Meets Sonia, Rahul; seeks time to make up her mind

Sheila Dikshit

Congress veteran Sheila Dikshit on Thursday met party president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi amid speculation that she may be made the party’s chief ministerial face for next year’s Assembly polls in politically crucial State of Uttar Pradesh.

Ms. Dikshit, who served as Delhi Chief Minister for three terms, is said to have been sounded by the Congress high command for a leading role in Uttar Pradesh, possibly as the Chief Ministerial candidate. She is believed to have sought time to make up her mind.

Congress party’s election strategist Prashant Kishor is said to be in favour of a Brahmin face in Uttar Pradesh elections and is believed to have suggested Ms. Dikshit’s name. The community, a traditional vote bank of the Congress, shifted allegiance to the BJP in the aftermath of the emergence of Mandir-Mandal politics.

Bramhin vote-bank A large chunk of Brahmin votes had also gone to Mayawati’s BSP in the past when she gave tickets to many candidates belonging to the community. The community’s support determines the poll outcome in several seats in Central and Eastern U.P.

Ms. Dikshit is the daughter-in-law of prominent Congress leader from Uttar Pradesh Uma Shankar Dikshit, who served as Union minister and Governor for a long time.