Prashant Kishor is an Indian political strategist who needs no introduction to those who closely follow Indian politics. Earlier, the IPAC founder had chalked out strategies for Narendra Modi, BJP, AAP, YSRCP and the JD(U). He was behind the successful campaign of the YSRCP in Andhra Pradesh. Even today the YSRCP continues to render the services of Prashant Kishor. However, the YSRCP may have to drop stay away from the election magician in order to grow closer to the BJP.
Recently, a tweet by Prashant Kishor following Nitish Kumar having sworn-in as the Bihar CM has led to speculations among political circles. The tweet also sheds light on the fact about how Prashant’s strategy might be in the near future. “Congratulations to Nitish Kumar for taking oath as the BJP-nominated chief minister. With a tired and politically belittled leader as CM, Bihar should brace for a few more years of lacklustre governance,” Prashant Kishor tweeted. Of the 243 Assembly seats in Bihar, the NDA won 125 seats. Though Nitish Kumar welcomed the BJP which won 74 seats to decide regarding the CM post, the latter insisted Nitish Kumar be the CM. The JD(U) had won just 43 seats.
Prashant Kishor’s tweet an indirect jab at the BJP
Having called Bihar CM Nitish Kumar as the BJP nominated CM, Prashant’s tweet has triggered the wrath of the saffron party. Nitish Kumar had a close experience working with Prashant Kishor from the 2015 elections, and at a point in time even named the latter as his successor. However, the political strategist’s anti-CAA stance led him being sacked by the JD(U). From then, Prashant went off the grid and maintained complete silence for around four months despite elections being held in his native state. In this scenario, Prashant’s latest tweet has led to several speculations in political circles.
From Pro-Modi to Anti-Modi
Prashant Kishor’s association with PM Modi began in 2012 when the latter was contesting as the CM of Gujarat for the third time and to help BJP achieve power in 2014. In 2015, the poll strategist who worked for Nitish Kumar later began working against the BJP. Having worked for the AAP, he was later roped in by YS Jagan to campaign for the YSRCP in the 2019 AP Assembly elections. In 2020, he worked for the AAP and then for the Mamata Banerjee led All India Trinamool Congress in West Bengal.
Trouble for YS Jagan?
Till 2016, Prashant Kishor who worked for the BJP and allied parties later changed his stance against the BJP and those supporting it. On the other hand, when YSRCP assumed power in Andhra Pradesh with the help of Prashant Kishor, in West Bengal the relation between Mamata Banerjee and the BJP has turned worse. While the BJP having won 19 seats in West Bengal previously looks forward to cementing its presence in the state. This led TMC supremo Mamata to rope in Prashant Kishor as the political strategist for the 2021 Assembly polls in West Bengal. However, the YSRCP continues using Prashant Kishor as the political strategist in AP. Well, speculations are on that the BJP looks to target the TMC and other parties utilizing Prashant’s services ahead of the West Bengal elections. In this context, it needs to be seen what the YSRCP does to keep in touch with the BJP.