New Delhi, January 23: Poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor has welcomed the appointment of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra - the sister of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and daughter of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi - as the poll in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Tweeting his reaction, Kishor, the vice president of JD(U), said Priyanka's political plunge is "one of the most awaited entries in Indian politics".

Notably, Kishor, who was roped in as the Congress strategist ahead of the 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, had pitched the party high command to convince Priyanka Gandhi to enter the polling fray as the chief ministerial candidate. However, his plea had not yielded results. The Congress had eventually tied with the Samajwadi Party and delivered its worst electoral performance in UP. Priyanka Gandhi Takes Political Plunge: Is The 'Congress Trump Card' a Force to Reckon With?

Here's what Prashant Kishor tweeted on Priyanka's entry into active politics:

Ending years of speculation, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra formally entered politics Wednesday with the Congress appointing her general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East in a move reflecting the party's intent to go full throttle in the state ahead of the general elections.

"One of the most awaited entries in Indian politics is finally here! While people may debate the timing, exact role and position, to me, the real news is that she finally decided to take the plunge! Congratulations and best wishes to Priyanka Gandhi," Kishor said in a tweet.

He had worked with the Congress in Uttar Pradesh as a poll strategist before joining the Janata Dal (United).

The appointment is being seen as a masterstroke which will boost the morale of party workers in a state where Congress influence has been waning over the years and where the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party have announced a tie-up.

Priyanka Gandhi, who turned 47 on January 12, will assist her brother and Congress president Rahul Gandhi in the Hindi heartland state, which has 80 Lok Sabha seats, the largest of any state in the country.

(With PTI inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 23, 2019 08:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).