Prashant Kishor’s presence in Chandigarh fans rumours

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 17

The presence of political strategist Prashant Kishor in Chandigarh for the past three days has fuelled a speculation of him being given some important role to facilitate the Capt Amarinder Singh-led Congress government in playing another innings.

Party sources confirmed that Kishor was in Chandigarh but did not confirm him meeting the Chief Minister. However, a close associate of Kishor termed the reports speculative. “The association was never hidden. If and when there is any decision, there will be a formal announcement. Until then, people are free to speculate. There is nothing to hide,” he said.

With the fast changing political situation and Akali minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal resigning from the Union Cabinet, political analysts are now debating the role of the BJP in the event of a break-up of the BJP- SAD alliance. The party could pose a serious challenge to the Congress and Kishor’s role could be important.

Currently engaged by the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress dispensation, Kishor’s political strategist firm Indian-Political Action Committee (I-PAC) has been conducting assessment surveys in West Bengal.

A similar exercise had been carried out in the state as he is learnt to have told the Congress government to fulfil the nine key promises made ahead of the 2017 Assembly elections. In the past, the Chief Minister had hinted at hiring Kishor for the 2022 elections and the party MLAs’opinion had also been sought on it.