INDUCTION OF PRASHANT KISHOR
Congress is up to deciding on Prashant Kishor‘s induction and his position in the organization, which comes in response to the election strategist seeking a “national role” and “a part” in the decision-making of the party’s affairs.
Kishor has suggested that the leadership form a special advisory committee under party president Sonia Gandhi’s chairpersonship to make political decisions. The panel is to be a “compact body” that can discuss and finalize proposals on political moves —
ranging from alliances to strategies to campaigns, sources said.
CONGRESS WORKING COMMITTEE
After doing the necessary groundwork, the panel will put the proposals before the party’s apex decision-making body, Congress Working Committee, a bigger group with representations from all regions and communities, for further deliberations and approval.
The suggestion is that select party leaders besides Kishor be part of this panel; it is learnt.
“He wants a national role, and is not hooked on the usual sought-after designations like AICC general secretary,” a senior leader said.
The post of AICC general secretary remains the top organizational position in Congress, which opens the possibility of it also being the possible perch for the high-profile poll strategist.
There is a buzz among insiders that Congress may go in for an organizational overhaul in the coming months, including new appointments and the creation of new panels, which increases the chances.
A NEW SPECIAL PANEL
However, the special panel will be the focus area as the Congress chief moves closer to a final decision. A decision can be taken at any time. The negotiations and the in-house deliberations have been on from one-and-a-half-month now.
After being the election manager for Trinamool Congress and helping the Mamata Banerjee-led party fend off an aggressive BJP campaign in the West Bengal assembly polls and win a third term in the state of West Bengal, Kishor entered into talks with the Congress leadership for joining the party.
He has also submitted a proposal on how the Congress grassroots should be reorganized to make it resurgent.
Kishor’s candidature has boosted the support of key satraps who have a favourable opinion about his skills.
Some of them have worked with him in the management of elections. He is seen as a good input to the party and was told to join without any conditions,” a senior functionary said.
