For People Not For Politics: Priyanka Gandhi turns 45

For years we have heard that future of the Congress might have been different had Priyanka Gandhi led the party. Who knows if its true but the young Gandhi scion has always called herself person of people than politics. With a warm smile, an simple demeanour she has had a lot of goodwill (only marginally impacted by her husband's controversies). In her contribution to party politics, she is seen working closely with the people of Amethi and Rae Bareli, the two constituencies of her brother, Rahul Gandhi and mother, Sonia Gandhi.

On her birthday, we are marking her milestones.

• In 1999 she decided not to enter politics and still abides by her self-created rule.

• "I am very clear in my mind. Politics is not a strong pull, the people are. And I can do things for them without being in politics,” said Priyanka in an interview with BBC.

• Priyanka has her faith in Buddhism and practices Vipassana as taught by SN Goenka.

• Though, Priyanka has never been actively a part of Congress, she has spoken publicly many times during the campaigns of her brother and mother. In fact, she was the campaign manager during 2004 elections for Sonia Gandhi and also supervised Rahul Gandhi’s campaign in 2014.

• She did her schooling in Delhi from Modern School, Convent of Jesus and Mary, and graduated in Psychology from the University of Delhi.

Also read: Ten Things That Make Sonia Gandhi A True Leader

• Her leadership acumen came across when in the recent elections when Congress performed its worst in a long time, Priyanka led the party to win seven seats out of ten in the Amethi and Rae Bareilly region where she spent two weeks trying to put an end to party’s inside conflicts. In the same region, the party only won two seats 2002 Assembly elections.

• Indira Gandhi reportedly had expressed the desire for Priyanka to lead the family political legacy, Priyanka was 12 then.

Picture credit- The Hindu