The entry of election strategist Prashant Kishor (PK) in the Congress was canceled once again. Many reasons are being given for not getting the seal of PK’s deal with Congress. Most important in this is the election of Priyanka in place of Rahul as the party president and the unaccounted interference in the party.
The Congress had invited PK to join the group, a day after Sonia Gandhi set up the Empowered Action Group 2024 to tackle political challenges. AICC spokesperson Randeep Surjewala tweeted on Tuesday, “After discussion with Prashant Kishor, Congress chief invited him to join the party as part of the group responsibly. He declined. We appreciate his efforts.” And appreciate the suggestions.”
Congress and PK have their own claims
Different claims are being made by both the parties regarding the disagreement. Congress says he is being given a “defined responsibility”. At the same time, Prashant Kishor claimed that he was asked to take responsibility for the elections. It is also being said that the Congress was unwilling to accept his major reforms demanding the reorganization of the office of the Congress chief along with the AICC. Wanted to keep PK confined to election strategy.
PK wanted a free hand
Prashant Kishor always suggested that the party needs to speed up the decision-making process. Election management and organizational management were also talked about. Prashant Kishor also wanted a free hand in implementing reforms, which was unacceptable to many Congress veterans.
Advice of new alliance in states like Bihar
His views on the issue of alliances in key states like Bihar, Maharashtra, J&K to eliminate old allies and on the party leadership add yet another shocking point. According to a report in Times of India, a Congress functionary claimed that Prashant Kishor wanted two different people as PM candidate and party chief. He wanted Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to be the Congress President, while the party wants Rahul Gandhi to become the President again.
Congress and Prashant Kishor’s thinking gap was wide. Meanwhile Prashant Kishor met Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and signed a contract with TRS, a firm set up by IPAC.
Sidhu posted a picture with Kishore
The party’s grandson Navjot Sidhu posted a picture with PK after Congress and Prashant Kishor announced a break in talks on Tuesday. In this he was called an “old friend”. Along with a selfie with Kishor, he tweeted, “My old friend PK…old wine, old gold and had a great meeting with old friends.”