NEW DELHI, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the sister of Indian National Congress (INC) President Rahul Gandhi, has formally joined politics, according to a statement issued by the INC Wednesday.

"Congress president has appointed Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East. She will be taking charge with effect on first week of February 2019," reads the statement.

"Congress president has also appointed Jyotiraditya Scindia as AICC general secretary for Uttar Pradesh west with immediate effect."

The 47-year-old Priyanka's formal entry into politics has come just months ahead of India's general elections due this year.

Eastern part of Uttar Pradesh encompasses constituencies of top two mascots of ruling Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) -- Varanasi and Gorakhpur.

Until now Priyanka Gandhi has confined herself to the constituencies of her mother Sonia Gandhi and brother -- Raebareli and Amethi. She was seen in election rallies helping the duo.

Uttar Pradesh is India's most populous state with a population of 200 million. The state has 80 parliamentary constituencies and is considered the route to power.