Why Sheila Dikshit was made Congress` CM candidate for UP polls - Read here

New Delhi: Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit was on Thursday named as Congress' chief ministerial candidate for 2017 Uttar Pradesh polls.

What went in favour for the Congress veteran leader:

Caste and religion along with development factor will play a major role in the next year Uttar Pradesh elections. So going by the ground reality, Brahmin credential went in favour for Dikshit.

The former Delhi CM's father-in-law Uma Dikshit was from Unnao district in UP.

Master poll strategist Prashant Kishor, who has been roped in by the Congress to boost grand old party's prospects, was said to be in favour of a Brahmin as the party's chief ministerial face in UP elections and is believed to have suggested Dikshit's name.

Dikshit was Lok Sabha MP from Kannauj 1984-89.

The senior Congress leader ruled Delhi for 15 consecutive years. She is credited of changing the face of the national capital during her stint.

Dikshit is considered to be very close to the Gandhi family.