Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh:
In an apparent bid to galvanise Congress after its dismal performance in Uttar Pradesh assembly elections in twin constituencies of Amethi and Rae Bareli, Priyanka Gandhi on Thursday held meetings with party workers in Rae Bareli.
On the first day of her two-day visit, Priyanka, who is touring the twin Lok Sabha constituencies for the first time after the assembly elections, held block-wise meetings of party workers up to nyaya panchayat level at Bhuemau guest house and talked about strengthening the organisation and discussed development works, sources said.
"During her 40-minute discussion, she said fresh elections at block level were being held," said a Congress worker from Saraini block after attending the meeting.
He said Priyanka was of the view that meetings should be held at block and nyaya panchayat level every month.
"She said that in development works, priority will be given to villages which have been left behind, and suggested meeting people from the constituency on the second Wednesday of every month in Delhi," he said.
"Priyankaji said if workers have any problem, they should let her know," another party worker said.
The block-wise meeting with workers went on till in the evening and the exercise will be resumed on Friday.
Earlier in the day, Priyanka assured people in her brother Rahul's constituency Amethi that she would visit them regularly and keep constant touch.
This is Priyanka's first visit after the assembly polls when she had stayed in these constituencies for 17 days.
Congress had, however, won only two seats in Amethi while in Rae Bareli it drew a blank.
Interestingly, this time round the entire Gandhi family was present in Amethi and Rae Bareli at the same time.
Priyanka, who landed at the Fursatganj airport along with her brother, met 150 women at the Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust office in Jais. These women recently got training in various trades like candle-making and chikan-embroidery.
According to the women participants who received the training as part of Rajiv Gandhi Mahila Vikas Pariyojna, Priyanka assured them that she would keep coming regularly.
"Asking us to come out of the house and show a path to others as the role of women has changed and she is no longer confined to kitchen, she said the society needs us," one of them said.
The Congress star campaigner also said that Rahul was concerned about their progress and asked them to move ahead and take the country forward.
After the meeting, Priyanka left for Rae Bareli to join her mother while Rahul confined himself to his constituency.
In Rae Bareli, Sonia on the second day of her visit met party delegates, workers and local people at the Bheymau guest house since morning.
Earlier on their arrival, Rahul and Priyanka were apprised by a crowd of some 500 gujjar supporters about "police atrocities" on them on October 31 and how they were facing continued raids on their houses.
The Congress MP assured them that he would personally look into the matter.