New Delhi, April 24: When Priyanka Gandhi was appointed as in-charge of Congress's affairs in eastern Uttar Pradesh, political pundits said it would hurt prospects of candidates fielded by the SP-BSP-RLD alliance and eventually held the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However, Congress President Rahul Gandhi has clarified that his sister Priyanka Gandhi had been sent to strengthen the Congress party but she won't hurt prospects of the SP-BSP-RLD's candidates.

In an interview with Navbharat Times, Gandhi said Priyanka had been told to ensure that the prospects of SP-BSP candidates should not be damaged on seats where Congress was weak. The Congress chief added that his party was ready for an alliance in Uttar Pradesh where the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) have formed an alliance, leaving two seats Amethi and Raebareli for Rahul and his mother Sonia. Rahul Gandhi Says Congress Ready For Alliance With AAP in Delhi Till Last Second, Arvind Kejriwal Retorts.

Asked if Priyanka would contest from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi said a decision is taken by the Congress. "But, we want to maintain suspense for now on the decision we have taken," he was quoted as saying. Two days back, Priyanka said she will contest the Lok Sabha elections from Varanasi if asked by her brother. "I am ready to contest and will contest from Varanasi if Rahul Gandhi asks me," she said. BJP Will Be Brought Down to 5 Seats in UP If BSP-SP Alliance Joins Hands With Congress, Says Mood Of The Nation Survey.

Once-arch rivals, the BSP and SP announced their tie-up in Uttar Pradesh for the Lok Sabha polls in January. The SP and BSP have decided not to field candidates in Amethi and Rae Bareli, represented by Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia. Two seats were initially allocated to the RLD but now SP has given one more seat from its quota to Ajit Singh's party. The three seats left for the RLD are Muzaffarnagar, Mathura and Baghpat.

In 2014, the BJP had won 71 seats in Uttar Pradesh while its ally Apna Dal bagged two. The Samajwadi Party won 5 seats and the Congress two, while the BSP drew a blank.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 24, 2019 04:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).