With Rahul Gandhi taking the centre-stage in Congress` battle to reinvigorate itself in Uttar Pradesh, there is optimism that party’s 22-year long political wilderness will finally end. Backed by Congress’ ‘Utho, Jago, Badlo’ slogan, Rahul seems to have struck an emotional chord with all sections of the society, especially the youth, who look up to him as a leader who will bring a paradigm shift in governance.

To ensure a victory for the Congress, Rahul had been crisscrossing the length and breadth of the state for some time now. Rahul started his election campaign by taking up the emotive issue of farmer agitation in Bhatta Parsaul in Gautam Buddha Nagar which had witnessed violent clashes between police and farmers.

Apart from taking up the ‘fight for famer rights’, the Gandhi scion attacked successive non-Congress state governments for rampant corruption and poor law and order situation.

However, the Congress is not just banking upon the personal charisma of Rahul Gandhi and has sewed together a smart electoral alliance with Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) of Ajit Singh, which can tilt the scales in its favour in western UP.

The grand old party would also expect to reap the political dividend of its decision to carve out a sub-quota for Muslims within the 27% reservation for OBCs, a move credited to Rahul.

Moreover, Congress also appears open to a post-poll alliance with the Samajwadi Party.

Clearly, the arch light is on the Yuvraj this time around. He had proved his mettle in 2009 Lok Sabha polls when Congress managed to bag 22 seats in UP and its vote share rose to 18.3% from 9%.

Political observers say that even if the Congress manages to touch the 100 seat mark, it would be a huge achievement for the party and, in particular, for Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul has to win; more importantly ‘Rahul factor’ needs redemption after Bihar polls.