Poll strategist Prashant Kishor will have no role in the selection of party candidates in the Punjab polls, AICC general secretary Shakeel Ahmad has said at a time when the Uttar Pradesh party leaders
Poll strategist Prashant Kishor will have no role in the selection of party candidates in the Punjab polls, AICC general secretary Shakeel Ahmad has said at a time when the Uttar Pradesh party leaders are confused about his exact role.
“Prashant Kishor will have no role in giving tickets (to the Congress aspirants in Punjab polls),” Mr Ahmad, who is the AICC in-charge of party affairs in Punjab, said here on Saturday.
Responding to questions, he said PCC chief Amarinder Singh is the Congress’ face in the coming electoral battle against the SAD-BJP combine and the AAP.
Although Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has roped in Mr Kishor in the Punjab elections, the latter’s role is confined to the campaign, the campaign theme and the promises which the Congress could deliver after coming to power.
“Whatever promises we make, we should be able to deliver it after coming to power,” Mr Ahmad said.
Capt. Singh was quoted by a newspaper as saying that Mr Kishor should confine himself to his brief of preparing the party’s strategy for the Assembly elections. “No one has authorised him to hold interactive sessions with expelled party leaders,” he said while making it clear that no expelled leader would be brought back to the party.
In Uttar Pradesh, there is utter confusion about Mr Kishor’s role after he started assuring Congress aspirants of the Assembly ticket, promising them to meet Mr Rahul Gandhi and bypassing the Congress leaders, including former MPs, ministers and party officials. “We are in the fight in Punjab but in UP our focus to is remain politically relevant,” insiders said.
Mr Kishor cannot exceed his brief in the two states due to his proximity to Mr Gandhi as any attempt in this regard will not only weaken their fight against political opponents but also disturb the organisational structure, they fear.
