In a last push, Congress party roped in Priyanka Gandhi to steer the ship of Congress candidates in city for the ensuing Assembly elections as her roadshow on Sunday evoked massive response from the citizens. Particularly in West Nagpur Assembly segment, thousands of people lined-up on road from Awasthi Nagar Square to Dinshaw Factory Square, to greet Priyanka as she cheerfully waived to the crowd of supporters. This was maiden visit of Priyanka Gandhi in the city for canvassing in favour of Congress candidates who were overwhelmed at the turnout in the rally. The day being Sunday played important role in large presence of citizens in the roadshow. The other roadshow of Priyanka Gandhi was held from Gandhi Gate to Badkas Square in an open challenge to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in its Mahal stronghold.

 

This road stretch comes under Central Nagpur Assembly segment wherein Bunty Shelke is locked in a tight contest with BJP’s youth leader and former Mayor Pravin Datke. For the Congress, the fight is quite prestigious as Shelke is National Secretary of All India Youth Congress and he is facing rebellion from Congressman Ramesh Punekar, which has the party bit worried. However, the road show in favour of Vikas Thakre, President, Nagpur City Congress Committee, in West Nagpur Assembly segment can be termed as show stealer, owing to the turn out seen on the streets of West Nagpur segment. The 2 km stretch chosen for the road show by Congress was jam packed. Reportedly people, especially women, were seen in large numbers, who were standing for long time to catch the glimpse of Priyanka. Priyanka Gandhi arrived late in city but still, voters were eagerly waiting for her as this was the former’s maiden appearance in the political campaign for Congress candidates in city.

 

The open vehicle atop which Priyanka was standing also had presence of Congress candidates Vikas Thakre, Praful Gudadhe and Girish Pandav apart from senior leaders including Ramesh Chennithala, General Secretary, All India Congress Committee (AICC); and Bhupesh Baghel, Congress observer for Vidarbha Region. Gudadhe and Pandav are in fray from South West Nagpur and South Nagpur Assembly segments respectively. In Central Nagpur, Bunty Shelke presented mace to Priyanka Gandhi who waved it to the crowd.