The Congress party has appointed Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as a general secretary, months before the Lok Sabha elections. She will be taking charge in the first week of February.

A communique released by the party on Wednesday said Congress president Rahul Gandhi had appointed Ms. Vadra — his sister — as All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary ofr Uttar Pradesh East. Jyotiraditya Scindia has been appointed as AICC general secretary of Uttar Pradesh West.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, who was AICC general secretary of Uttar Pradesh, will now be AICC general secretary of Haryana.

K.C. Venugopal will be taking over the post of AICC general secretary (Organisation). The post was held by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Mr. Venugopal will continue his role as AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka, the communique said.

This is the first time Ms. Vadra has been given a post in the party. She has campaigned for her mother Sonia Gandhi and brother Rahul Gandhi in Rae Bareli and Amethi respectively in elections.