What Priyanka Gandhi's entry into politics means for India's elections

Priyanka Gandhi, sister of Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi and one of the youngest scions of India's most fabled political family, officially enters politics ahead of national elections.

The biggest democracy in the world is due to elect its leader for the next five years in fewer than 100 days. And the race has just become more interesting.

On Wednesday, the main Indian opposition Congress party announced that Priyanka Gandhi - the younger sister of party leader Rahul Gandhi and one of the youngest scions of the country's most fabled political family - had officially entered politics.

The popular 47-year-old accepted a senior position and will be in charge of the party's affairs in the key state of Uttar Pradesh, which sends 80 MPs to the 545-strong lower house of parliament and has produced nine Indian prime ministers.

The news had Congress staff across India dancing and burning crackers.

Courtesy:  Aljazeera