Buzz over Kishor’s Cong entry grows

NEW DELHI: Is the Congress keen to induct election strategist Prashant Kishor into its ranks?

And is Kishor, who has spoken of stepping back from his organisation, Indian Political Action Committee, keen to throw in his lot with India’s grand old party?

Whispers to the effect have grown louder in Congress circles although neither the party nor Kishor have said anything on the record.

Three people familiar with the details of what is happening in the Congress claimed the issue was discussed at a meeting on July 22, chaired by Rahul Gandhi, and attended by key leaders of the Congress

Working Committee including AK Antony, Mallikarjun Kharge, KC Venugopal, Kamal Nath and Ambika Soni. All three spoke on condition of anonymity.

HT learns that Kishor could join as a general secretary (campaign management) if both sides agree. HT reported on July 15 that Kishor’s ambitious revival plan for the party, which he has presented to the Gandhis, involves the creation of a parliamentary board, new posts, and an overhaul of how the Congress party operates in every district.

One of the people added that the July 22 meeting was to gauge how senior Congress leaders felt about Kishor’s suggestions, which were first made to party president Sonia Gandhi just before the onset of the pandemic last year; the second leader said Sonia Gandhi wanted the consultation before the final decision was taken within the next few days. “There is a willingness to adopt the strategies suggested by Kishor and during consultations, a consensus seems to have evolved,’’ added the second person. “We are optimistic about this because Kishor has said that it is not possible to beat the BJP without the Congress. Secondly, he was the one who approached us.’’

His reference is to Kishor’s comments made last month in the context of a third front to take on the BJP. Kishor said he didn’t believe that any third or fourth front could defeat Narendra Modi indicating that the Congress was necessary.