The mood in Congress circles is upbeat with the party managing to cobble up an alliance with the ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh after several hiccups. Congress leaders are attributing this so-called success to party president Sonia Gandhi, her daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and UP's in-charge Ghulam Nabi Azad.

There has been no mention of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, the Lok Sabha MP from Amethi who has been taking personal interest in the party's affairs of the country's most populous state. Going by the reaction of Congress leaders, the role of Rahul Gandhi has been relegated to the background, or so it seems.

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Initial reports last week suggested that talks between the SP and Congress stalwarts were on the brink of breaking down. Former Union minister Ajit Singh's RLD had already walked out of the negotiations for a three-party alliance. It appeared that the SP-Congress talks had also gone the RLD way.

However, there was a breakthrough just in the nick of time and an SP-Congress alliance was sealed on January 22. The ruling SP has decided to contest on a lion's share of 298 seats while Congress, as a junior partner, has got the remaining 105 of the total 403 Assembly seats in the state.

HIGHLIGHTING PRIYANKA GANDHI'S ROLE IN UP

Responding to reports in this regard, AICC political secretary Ahmed Patel posted a tweet the day the alliance was declared. He said the negotiations were being held at the highest level that involved UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Congress general secretary in charge of UP Ghulam Nabi Azad and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Ahmed Patel denied news reports which said he had spoken to SP leaders. He said no lightweights were dealing on Congress' behalf.

Wrong to suggest lightweights were dealing on behalf of Congress party.Discussion was at highest level- b/w CM (UP),GS I/C & Priyanka Gandhi Ahmed Patel (@ahmedpatel) January 22, 2017

There were reports also of Sonia Gandhi's intervention to help the alliance to salvage the situation and help this tie-up get materialised. But there was no mention of Rahul Gandhi's role on the matter.

The Congress vice-president is seen to be paying considerable attention to his 'home state'. In September-October last year, he accomplished a month-long Kisan Yatra in which he conducted 26 road shows, 700 meetings including Khat Sabhas covering 141 assembly constituencies.

Rahul's sister Priyanka has so far been active in just the Gandhis' pocket boroughs of Amethi and Rae Bareli. But suddenly there has been a general impression of Priyanka taking precedence over her brother.

CONGRESS' DEFENCE OF RAHUL GANDHI

Speaking to India Today, senior Congress leaders sought to dispel that notion.

AICC Communication Department in charge Randeep Singh Surjewala said, "It is a complete misconception. Who is leading the party? There should not be any speculation. Rahul Gandhi is leading the charge."

Asked about Ahmed Patel's tweets, Surjewala said Ghulam Nabi Azad and Priyanka "helped stitch the alliance" with SP.

Talking specifically about Priyanka, he said, "She has always been in a supportive role for her mother and brother. She has been active as far as UP is concerned."

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Asked about Priyanka restraining herself to just Amethi and Rae Bareli, Surjewala said, "She has, by her own volition, confined her role to contributing in Amethi. We have respected her decision. But the day she decides to expand her responsibility, we would be very happy to share with you all. Till then, we should respect her privacy."

Defending Rahul Gandhi's role in poll-bound UP, AICC senior spokesperson Shakeel Ahmad said, "The negotiations were being held on the basis of guidelines issued by Rahul Gandhi to his representatives, including Priyanka Gandhi. Ultimately, Rahul Gandhi is the final authority and nothing was possible without his approval. People who were negotiating with SP were doing so at the behest of Rahul Gandhi."

Asked why Rahul Gandhi's name does not find mention in intervening to concretise the alliance, Ahmad said it was because he was not directly involved.