By sending Captain Satish Sharma to the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh,the Congress top leadership is learnt to have created a channel to get independent feedback from the state,where ambitions of state leaders have sharpened groupism in the party. Since he is an old loyalist of the Gandhi family,it is also hoped that his presence in Uttar Pradesh will serve to keep the groupism in check. Sources said the Congress had initially considered Sharmas name for the Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh,but it was decided to move him to UP in view of the next Assembly elections,which are due in 2012. Sharma is currently a member of the Rajya Sabha from Uttarakhand and his term would end on July 4. A party leader said the party high command felt the need for an unbiased and trustworthy channel of feedback to ensure that nothing went wrong before the elections. The state remains the top priority of Rahul Gandhi, the leader said. It was for this reason that Satish Sharma has been sent here. That is also the reason why the party high command made efforts to mobilise the required number of votes for Sharmas victory. On its own,the Congress could not have won the seat. Therefore,it managed unconditional support of Ajit Singhs Rashtriya Lok Dal and the Samajwadi Party to ensure Sharmas victory in the election scheduled for June 17. Sources in the state Congress said Sharma would become a member of the UPCC Coordination Committee,which comprises the states senior leaders. He will play an important role in the Coordination Committee that takes all policy decisions for the revival of the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, a leader added. Sharma would enter the UPCC at a time when signs of the Congress revival in the state have led to a sudden rise in political aspirations of the partys leaders. Sharma is considered a good political manager. He can use his stature to put an end to such problems that might otherwise affect the partys poll prospect, said a Congress MLA. According to him,there is no dearth of state leaders who keep going to Delhi to meet senior party leaders to express their grievances against UPCC chief Rita Joshi and CLP leader Pramod Tewari. Sharmas presence will help curb such tendencies. Since he is known to be a trusted man of the Gandhi family,partymen will also feel free to speak to him. Further,Sharma would also be useful for the party to keep a close eye on the political happenings in Sultanpur district that includes Rahuls Amethi constituency. Several party leaders in the district do not like Sanjay Singh,the party MP from Sultanpur. There are genuine problems in Sultanpur constituency which cannot be allowed to fester, said another party leader. Sharma,who had represented Sultanpur in the Lok Sabha in the past,is expected to take care of the problems of the Sultanpur constituency. Finally,in a state where caste loyalties are strong,Sharma can become the representative of the Gandhi family among the Brahmins. Since Rahul has his focus on Dalit and weaker sections,Sharma can be the partys bridge with the Brahmins, said another Congress leader.
