The possibility of poll strategist Prashant Kishor’s entry into the Congress has once again triggered debate in the party. AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is keen to have Prashant Kishor or PK, as he is known–in the party, so that he can be of some help to her in Uttar Pradesh.
According to sources, Priyanka is trying to ensure Kishor’s entry in the party through Punjab. Sources also said that Congress’ former president Rahul Gandhi has not given his nod for the same. But it is understood that he would be giving a go- ahead sooner or later.
Sources said that Prashant Kishor has also started making efforts to enter the Congress. For this purpose, he wants a position first so that he can work properly. He is also said to be in touch with Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh for the same. It is being said that Kishor wants the position of a cabinet rank minister in Punjab, and CM Amarinder Singh supposedly has no objection to this. Kishor’s entry into Punjab Congress does not mean that he will be confined to the state — he will be helping Priyanka in Uttar Pradesh as well.
As past records suggest, Kishor has worked for several parties but did not become associated with their ideologies. He has even been working for parties which are political rivals of each other. Kishor actually sees it from a commercial and professional point of view. On the one hand, he is helping Mamata Banerjee, who is against the Congress in West Bengal, and on the other hand, he is also helping Congress leader Kamal Nath, giving him victory tips for the bypolls in 27 seats in Madhya Pradesh.
In fact, the BJP derailed Kishor’s plans to enter Bihar politics. After the Delhi polls, Kishor had announced that he would expose the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar. He wanted to form his own party, like Aam Aadmi Party, in the state. He wanted his own party to also be able to lead the grand alliance in Bihar at the time of the elections. But he did not succeed, as he did not see any substance in the grand alliance and returned to his old profession.
During the 2017 Assembly elections in UP, Kishor was in touch with Priyanka. At the behest of Priyanka, the Congress had firmed up an alliance with Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party in UP. Now, Priyanka is again showing her trust in Kishor and therefore, wants him to be in the Congress. Team Rahul is said to be against his entry in the party though.
Rahul’s team members actually think that after Kishor gets entry into the Congress, he would increase his clout and as a result of that, would be influential and powerful in the party. Kishor had also wanted to enter the Congress after his Bihar formula failed.
Kishor is of the view that his entry into Punjab Congress will be beneficial on two counts. First, he will get the position according to his status. Second, the Congress can retain Punjab in the next Assembly elections too. After the farm bills, multi-angular fights are likely in the Punjab Assembly elections, which will benefit the Congress. Kishor will then be of help to Priyanka in UP by virtue of being a strategist in Punjab.
Priyanka’s problem now is that she has to grapple with UP affairs all alone and single- handedly. There is no heavyweight in the party in UP. Moreover, Kishor has understood the poll dynamics of UP as he visited most of the areas in the state during the 2017 Assembly polls. His exposure to UP will be of great help to Priyanka.
Sources say that if Priyanka makes a serious effort, then Kishor can be in the Congress. Amarinder wants him to be in the party in Punjab. However, the proposal for Kishor’s entry in the party has ruffled many feathers in the Punjab Congress.