Guwahati, 19 February (HS): Congress Screening Committee Chairperson and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra arrived in Assam’s capital Guwahati on Thursday for a two-day visit aimed at accelerating the party’s preparations for the forthcoming Assembly elections.

Soon after landing at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Borjhar, she proceeded directly to offer prayers at the revered Kamakhya Temple. She was received at the airport by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president and MP Gaurav Gogoi along with other party leaders. After visiting the temple, she headed to the state Congress headquarters, Rajiv Bhawan, to chair a series of meetings related to the screening process.

Priyanka Gandhi is overseeing what party leaders described as an “unprecedented and structured” screening exercise in Assam. Senior Congress functionaries said this marks the first time the party is undertaking such an extensive and consultative candidate selection process in the state.

Assam Congress leaders indicated that she is likely to visit the state multiple times in the coming months to review progress, assess grassroots feedback, and ensure close coordination between the state unit and the central leadership.

The party aims to complete the screening process at the earliest, with indications that the first list of candidates could be released by the end of February after consultations with the central leadership. State leaders asserted that with the election momentum picking up, the Congress is ahead of other parties in terms of organisational preparedness and candidate identification.----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash