ALLAHABAD: As Priyanka Gandhi mingled with crowds on the inaugural day of her ‘Ganga Yatra’, it was her resemblance with her grandmother Indira Gandhi that took most onlooker by surprise, many of whom had been waiting for hours to meet her. The star campaigner of Congress broke the security cordon to mingle with the cadre.When she finally reached the ghat, Priyanka sprinkled Ganga water on herself and offered prayers to the river, a clear sign of soft Hindutva line in the poll voyage. While she interacted with villagers, security personnel had a tough time.“I had seen her on television and noticed her resemblance with her grandmother, but when I saw her today it felt like I am seeing a young Indira Gandhi,” said Nandita, a teacher who had come to catch a glimpse of Priyanka.Moving through the crowd, Priyanka broke the security cordon several times. In one such instance, she bent down to check a polythene bag tossed on the ground for collecting garbage. On finding a few coconuts, she picked them up and kept them aside. Minutes later, she sat on the boat, without putting on a life jackets. Smiling and talking to people sailing on other boats, she arrived at the platform at the Sangam and interacted with people as part of her ‘Boat pe Charcha’ outreach. The boat carrying Priyanka and party leaders sailed towards Arail ghat, opposite Yamuna banks.“It was a thrilling experience to meet Priyanka. She talked to us and asked us about the problems we face. She is so down to earth and charming,” said Anvita, a student. At Arail Ghat, she went back to her car and set out for Manaiya, 20km downstream Sangam. Locals from villages in Karchana area had gathered for hours to catch a glimpse. Playing patriotic tunes, a brass band group accompanied Congress workers, who welcomed her with flowers amid blowing of conches.As she walked towards the ghat, veteran mallah, Ramu Nishad said, “I didn’t believe when people said she is a mirror image of her grandmother. On seeing her, I can guess why people say Indira is back.” Priyanka also made the moment memorable for a small group of school girls. Presenting flowers to each of them, she asked them about their school.In the sea of people, a group of students from Allahabad University and local Agricultural University were also present. The special invitees travelled with Priyanka on her boat. “A selfie with her made my day,” remarked a Hima Fatima.Priyanka sat with girls on the floor of her motor boat. Not even once, did she go inside the air conditioned chamber. She binged on diet coke and sugar-free biscuits once. Dumduma, the first stop, was chock-a-block with eager villagers. After a formal reception at the ghat, Priyanka walked towards them. She hugged an elderly woman who proudly announced her granddaughter had come. She also briefly addressed young and elders and reminded them that ‘awareness was nationalism in present times’.

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