Thiruvananthapuram: Though Uttar Pradesh is her 'karm-bhoomi' for now, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's influence in the Congress is ''bound to grow'' in the long term, party leader Shashi Tharoor said. Priyanka, 47, was appointed AICC general secretary of Eastern Uttar Pradesh on January 23 this year, marking her formal entry into politics.'

The party is hoping that the move will boost its prospects in the politically crucial state which sends 80 MPs to Lok Sabha. ''She (Priyanka) is a very impressive lady, who speaks well, speaks with confidence, idiomatic and fluent Hindi. She is very comfortable in public gaze and reminds a lot of people of her grandmother,'' Tharoor said when asked about Priyanka Gandhi's formal plunge into politics.