Social Media is abuzz with Priyanka Gandhi’s plunge into Politics after the Congress party declared Priyanka Vadra’s appointment as the General Secretary for East UP. The appointment comes days after the SP supremo Akhilesh Yadav and BSP chief Mayawati declared their stand of fighting the general elections together, leaving Congress out of the alliance.
https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1087973234983743488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s formal entry in the politics has evoked euphoria among some of the media personalities. Journalists believe that Priyanka Vadra’s involvement in the upcoming General elections will be pivotal, especially in the state of Uttar Pradesh which is considered as the most significant state for claiming a stake at the government at the centre.
As the news of the appointment of Priyanka Vadra trickled in, some media folks couldn’t conceal their enthusiasm on her elevation and took to Twitter to express their exultation on Vadra’s entry in the politics. Here are reactions from some of the ‘journalists’ on Priyanka’s anointment as General Secretary of East UP who often masquerade as “neutral” media persons.
https://twitter.com/RanaAyyub/status/1087995988839727104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/jomalhotra/status/1087981777258455041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/BDUTT/status/1087983198443851777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/rohini_sgh/status/1088010080690364417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/bainjal/status/1088010773203480577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
It is noteworthy to mention here that Priyanka Vadra has been a greenhorn in the political arena. She has no experience in politics save a few rallies she occasionally does during the election season. Hence, her elevation to the General Secretary of UP East only reinforces Congress party’s policy of perpetuating dynasty politics instead of adopting meritocracy in appointing someone deserving of the position. On the other hand, the media’s uncritical adulation for her not only betrays their servility to the Gandhi family, but it also exposes their duplicity in upholding excellence.
The media questioned Gajendra Chauhan’s appointment as the dean of FTII, claiming his credentials are not worthy enough for him to be appointed as a head of the hallowed institution. The same set of people raised strong reservations on the anointment of Yogi Adityanath as the UP chief minister who was a 5 time MP before being appointed as CM. However, they have veritably no qualms in supporting and glorifying Priyanka who is basically a ‘non-achiever’ and has entered politics only because of her family name
It is also striking to mention Priyanka Vadra’s colourful history. There have been serious allegations levelled against her and her husband Robert Vadra. In April 2017, it was alleged that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had bought 5 acres of agricultural land in Amipur village in Faridabad district of Haryana for Rs 15 lakh in 2006 and later sold the same piece of land to the original owner in 2010 at a price of Rs. 80 lakh. In 2010, she was accused of building a house on land she had allegedly acquired illegally in Shimla. It is therefore ironic to observe the hypocrisy exhibited by the media folks who are now rejoicing Priyanka Vadra’s appointment and not highlighting the allegations raised against her.
Rahul Gandhi, on the other hand, keeps talking about Anil Ambani’s inexperience in building defence equipment as a reason to protest against his company’s involvement in the Rafale offset contract but approves of a Gandhi family member being appointed to a senior party position without him/her having necessary credentials to warrant the appointment. This glaring irony is archetypal Congress which believes in eternalising dynasty politics and shunning distinction.