A routine media conference was in progress at the Congress headquarters when Priyanka Gandhi Vadra arrived.

As Congress workers spotted her, shouts of “Priyanka, Priyanka” erupted.

Priyanka with supporters outside the Congress headquarters on Wednesday. Prem Singh

Camerapersons ran out, along with correspondents, and a lonely spokesperson had to abruptly stop the briefing in the face of disruption never witnessed in the past.

Priyanka sat in her office, allotted to her 24 hours ago, for around 30 minutes as chaotic scenes unfolded on the party premises. The general secretary in charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh didn’t have any scheduled engagement and left the office after meeting some party workers.

The exit wasn’t easy as Congress workers and journalists had gathered in numbers by then, blocking the passage.

Priyanka meets party functionaries on her first day in office. Two idols of Ganesh can be seen in the picture. PTI

The Special Protection Group and Delhi police personnel first jostled and then pushed in vain to make way. The SPG officers had to finally wrestle with the crowd to ensure that Priyanka got into the vehicle safely. Frenzied slogan-shouting continued as her cavalcade left, leaving security personnel gasping.

Priyanka leaves after her first appearance at the Congress office as general secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh, east. PTI

While many predicted this was going to be a regular affair now, one Delhi police officer said: “Difficult to handle such unplanned visits and must be avoided at all costs.”

When Congress president Rahul Gandhi comes to the party office at least once a week, prior information is conveyed to the security, and the party office is sanitised in advance. Only those with appointments are allowed in.

Priyanka, who has been protected for long by the SPG, understands the security drill but on Wednesday she might have decided on her feet to make a political point through her unscheduled outing.

The Congress, too, emphatically contended that the BJP’s allegations at a media conference were outrageous.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra with her husband Robert Vadra outside the office of the Enforcement Directorate in New Delhi on Wednesday. Reuters

The Congress leadership is geared up to fight the perception battle, anticipating much greater propaganda once Priyanka starts her campaign in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

She is expected to visit the state in the next few days and hold a media interaction and a road show to begin with. She will also go to Allahabad for the Ardh Kumbh and later to Varanasi.