The apparent desperation of the Indian National Congress (INC) to get election strategist and manager Prashant Kishor in its fold to revive the party’s sinking fortunes has begun to embarrass a section of leaders. The lifelong Congress activists may not have taken so kindly to the development.
After BJP’s Narottam Mishra commented on the possibility of Kishor joining the INC and “giving a lesson” to Madhya Pradesh leader Kamal Nath, the former chief minister said today that the party was not “dependent” on anyone in his state. Mishra had said that if Kishor were to join the INC, Kamal Nath would be “laid to rest”. “If Kamal Nath did not learn from the public, now he will be taught by Kishor,” he had taunted Kamal Nath.
“Whether Prashant Kishor comes or does not, we are prepared and not dependent on anyone in Madhya Pradesh,” Kamal Nath said in what looked like a response to Mishra’s jibe.
One opposition party has reacted negatively to the news of Kishor joining and revamping the INC before the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The Aam Aadmi Party hit out at the INC yesterday, calling it a “dead horse” after Kishor met with Sonia Gandhi-led AICC members.
Following its landslide victory in Punjab, the AAP projected its national convenor Arvind Kejriwal as the “only” national challenger to the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP.
On the other hand, INC general secretary Tariq Anwar describes Kishor as a brand with proven credentials. Yesterday, Anwar said the poll strategist was willing to join the party without any preconditions and his induction would certainly help the party.
INC president Sonia Gandhi, Anwar said, wanted to take senior leaders into confidence and seek their opinion on whether Kishor’s entry into the party would be beneficial and then take a decision on the much-anticipated issue.
Anwar said the Congress would be the natural leader of an anti-BJP front for the 2024 general elections as no other party has its pan-India appeal or its presence. He also backed Rahul Gandhi as president, saying party workers and leaders wished it too but ultimately the party would decide in the upcoming polls.
“Some say the Gandhi family should move away but the feeling in Congress is that if any face has a pan-India presence and appeal, it is that of the Gandhi family. So we want a leader who has a national appeal,” the former Union minister said.
You must log in to post a comment.