On Friday, CNN-News18 reported that Congress sources have told the channel that the party is planning to field Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as their chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections in 2017.

On Friday, CNN-News18 reported that Congress sources have told the channel that the party is planning to field Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as their chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections in 2017.

CNN-News18 EXCLUSIVE | Top Cong sources: Priyanka Gandhi to take political plunge LIVE: https://t.co/Nr4TFMc7XT pic.twitter.com/W4wcufiJ83 — News18 (@CNNnews18) June 10, 2016

CNN-News18 EXCLUSIVE | Top Cong sources: Priyanka likely to fight 2019 Lok Sabha polls

LIVE: https://t.co/T4lDYLdT3R pic.twitter.com/IMAYSTARLI — News18 (@CNNnews18) June 10, 2016

CNN-News18 EXCLUSIVE | Top Cong sources: Priyanka Gandhi could play important role in UP polls strategy pic.twitter.com/p5UkA2uxKw — News18 (@CNNnews18) June 10, 2016

Priyanka is currently managing the party activities in Rae Bareily and Amethi, which are also Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi's constituencies respectively. However, the Congress top brass and spokespersons were tight-lipped about the development and said that saying anything about Uttar Pradesh CM candidature would be speculative.

Speaking to the channel, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that it was solely Priyanka's decision on what responsibility she wants to undertake and added that there is no reason why the channel will run the story. When asked whether the decision is in the offing, Surjewala said, "I am not an astrologer. But the story that is being run by the channel is incorrect. Priyanka, in her volition has restricted her political goals to managing Rae Bareily and Amethi and as a party we support her decision. Speculating a future role for her is totally speculative and incorrect. We should wait for her decision."

Interestingly, in May this year, AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh had said that the party favours Priyanka getting into active politics but it has to be decided by the family. Digvijaya, who said she has the potential to emerge as a mass leader, said, "As far as we (Congress) are concerned, we will be very happy if she comes into active politics." On whether she would campaign beyond the Nehru-Gandhi pocket borough of Amethi and Rae Bareily in Uttar Pradesh, Singh said: "The decision would be hers and the family's."

Asked whether Priyanka has abilities of her grandmother Indira Gandhi, he said she has a "striking resemblance" with the former prime minister but he can't say "just now" whether she has the same abilities. "She has the potential," Singh replied when asked if Priyanka can emerge as a mass leader.

Asked if the "delay" in Rahul Gandhi taking over as Congress President is hurting the party's prospects, he said, "No. This is a decision to be taken by the Congress President (Sonia Gandhi) and she will take a decision when the time comes."

Last month, Congress cadre and leaders from Jharkhand, however, had said that majority of party workers demanded that Priyanka Gandhi be declared the CM candidate for the Uttar Pradesh assembly election which is slated for 2017. Congress is preparing for the 2017 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh where a good performance would mark the revival of the strength of the party especially after back to back setbacks since 2014 general elections.

Master poll strategist, Prashant Kishor, who is reputed to have helped PM Modi in winning the 2014 general elections and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in defeating Modi in the state assembly elections last year, reportedly recommended that either Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka be projected as the chief ministerial candidate in the crucial UP assembly elections. According to this oped piece in Business Standard, Kishor's strategy in UP is to first field Rahul, if he takes exception to it, then Priyanka and even if she doesn't want to lead the party in the state, then former Chief Minister of Delhi Sheila Dikshit.

According to the piece in Business Standard, Kishor attempted a strategy of disruption and it worked. "The Congress was nowhere in the reckoning in UP. Now suddenly people have begun talking about the party, there is discussion and speculation and the games have begun."

Incidentally, the party had planned to make two major announcements before 19 May - the day on which the results of four Assembly elections – in the states of West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Kerala – were declared. One was Rahul taking over as the party president and the other was Priyanka finally taking the plunge into active politics. It was crucial the decision came before 19 May because any resolve after that would be perceived as a desperate move.

There are no doubts that Priyanka enjoys higher popularity ratings than her brother at least in parts of the Gandhi bastions. Her oratory, specially her mastery of the Hindi language coupled with good organisational skills, have been successful in retaining the two parliamentary seats even when the competition was fierce.

It is true that almost nothing is certain in politics, but speculations abound about Priyanka Gandhi finally taking the plunge.

with inputs from PTI