According to news agency ANI, quoting sources, political strategist Prashant Kishor, who submitted a “detailed” electoral strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to Sonia Gandhi, is to join the Congress “in the coming days” in a high-level meeting. In his presentation, the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) founder allegedly advised that the grand old party focus solely on 370 seats for the 2024 elections.
“Prashant Kishor would join the Congress in the next days,” sources informed ANI. “However, he has not requested any specific position inside the party.”
Earlier in the day, Congress made it plain that Kishor would be working with the party in some capacity to run to the next general election. When asked about Kishor’s status in the party, Congress national secretary KC Venugopal responded, “every information would be given within a week.”
Prashant Kishor’s Plan
During the four-hour discussion, Kishor allegedly stated that Congress should focus on 370 seats and fight alone in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha to enhance its base in these states. He also urged that the party form a coalition to contest in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Maharashtra.
According to ANI, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi agreed to the points.
Along with Rahul and Venugopal, prominent party officials like Ambika Soni, Digvijaya Singh, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Ajay Maken were present at the meeting, which was presided over by Congress head Sonia Gandhi.
Kishor is also said to have given proposals for the impending assembly elections, including the recruitment of Naresh Patel, a Patidar leader in Gujarat, who has met with the senior Congress leadership multiple times.
The poll strategist was previously a JD(U) member but was removed in January 2020 due to his stance on the Citizenship Amendment Act. In their assembly election campaigns, the Trinamool Congress, the DMK, and the Aam Aadmi Party had enlisted his help. According to insiders, the Congress leaders also addressed the present political situation at the meeting. Mallikarjun Kharge, Venugopal, Ambika Soni, Digivijaya Singh, Ajay Maken, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among those who attended the meeting.
In the previous two federal elections and numerous state assembly elections, Congress has suffered many election setbacks.
The party is not only suffering a wave of defections following a decline in its electoral fortunes in recent years, but a simmering internal battle between the old guard and the new generation for leadership positions has also taken its toll.
The G-23, a coalition of certain party officials, has criticized the leadership and called for an organizational change.
The grouping has already written to the Congress chief in this respect and has recently highlighted the topic of collective leadership.
Edited By: Vanshika Sahu
Published By: Akshaj Joshi
