Priyanka Gandhi gave clear message that she is ready to struggle with grassroot workers: Ajay Kumar Lallu

The newly appointed UPCC president Ajay Kumar Lallu reached Lucknow today to assume his new responsibilities, vowing to make the Congress party again "the voice of the deprived" in Uttar Pradesh.

Mr Lallu, who took a UP Roadways bus to reach Lucknow, was given a rousing welcome on his arrival as the party workers and supporters, carrying welcome posters and banners, accompanied him in a nearly four-km-long march from the Polytechnic Crossing to the UPCC Headquarters, Nehru Bhawan at Mall Road.

On the way to the party headquarters, Mr Lallu along with his supporters stopped at the statues of BR Ambedkar, Sardar Patel, Mahatma Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi and paid homage to them.

Ajay Kumar Lallu received a grand welcome on arrival by party workers and supporters

"The Congress will become the voice of the deprived, harassed, farmers, youths and women in Uttar Pradesh. We have several challenges before us but with the blessings of seniors and the support of youths, no one will be able to stop the party from coming to power in 2022," Mr Lallu said addressing the workers and supporters after taking charge as the new UPCC president.

Mr Lallu exhorted workers to overcome all hurdles through determination and hard work, and work unitedly for taking the party ahead.

"Alongwith other challenges, the bad shape of the economy is also a challenge and with it there is also a challenge to uproot those in power. We all will have to take a pledge for it," he said, while thanking Congress working president Sonia Gandhi and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Varda.

"If there is any leader who has fought against the BJP and RSS for defending the nation's democracy, it is our leader Rahul Gandhi. But this government made all out efforts by spending Rs 4,000 crore and using social media to launch a campaign against him," he said.

"Was it his fault that he fought for the poor and farmers?" he asked.

In the past eight months, Priyanka Gandhi has given a clear message that she is ready to struggle with the grassroot workers, said Mr Lallu, recalling her recent visits to the state for justice to the poor and oppressed.

The new UPCC president, who was welcomed among others by the former MPs Pramod Tewari and PL Punia, intermingled with the workers and leaders to greet them personally.

In an informal interaction with mediapersons, Mr Lallu said the only path for the Congress to move ahead is the struggle.

"The manner in which the British were thrown out, the Congress too will be strengthened and brought back to power by its workers treading on the path dialogue and struggle," he said on being asked about his roadmap to strengthen the party.

Among various other frontal organisations, Congress Sewa Dal among also welcomed Mr Lallu on his arrival at the PCC headquarters.