How much ‘prominence’ should Prashant Kishor get? Congress divided

As a debate carries on in the Congress over the pros and cons of getting election strategist Prashant Kishor on board, not as a mere adviser but as a party member and a decision-maker, it is learnt that some leaders have reservations over his induction.

The leaders with reservations about Kishor’s entry, especially the ones who comprise the dissident 'group of 23', are not against the plan of action suggested by him to revive the party but are wary of an outsider being catapulted to a position of prominence.

A major topic of discussion in Congress circles these days is the possible induction of Kishor into the party and the proposals that he has made to the party's leadership on organisational changes and how the grand old party can be revamped and revived and made fighting fit ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024.

Many of the leaders belonging to the 'G-23' had last year written to Congress president Sonia Gandhi demanding an overhaul of the party and underlining the need for a full-time leadership that is visible and effective. These leaders are not comfortable with the idea of Kishor being brought into the party at a level that would be just below the Gandhis, wherein he would be reporting directly to the party president.

“We are a party with a rich history and it painful to see that we have come to such a pass that we have to outsource our thinking and decision-making to a professional strategist,” said a senior leader identified with the G-23.

Another senior leader who was among the G-23’s letter writers said he does not have any objections against either Kishor's induction into the party or his proposals for the party's revival, but the issue is about the kind of prominence that he may be given and whether that would be a wise thing to do.

“Prashant Kishor has worked with the Congress in the past. He has good ideas. We do not question his ability and the party can gain from his inputs. But can he be placed over the heads of leaders who have a rich political experience and have dedicated their lives to the party? That is the question that needs to be answered. The Congress president has to take a call on this issue,” said the leader.

He said that it was interesting to note that while the G-23 leaders were castigated for making certain suggestions to the party president, Kishor's proposals are not very different. “We suggested revival of the parliamentary board of the party. He has suggested setting up of an empowered group of leaders. We had talked about conducting elections at all levels in the party and empowering the state and district committees. Similarly, he has talked about strengthening state and district committees,” said the leader.

Shortly after Kishor presented his plan of action to the Gandhis, the Congress president rolled out an exercise to garner the opinion of senior leaders with regard to it. Party veterans A.K. Antony and Ambika Sonia and AICC general secretary in charge of organisation K.C. Venugopal have met members of the Congress Working Committee in batches to discuss Kishor's proposal. Among the G-23 leaders who have been a part of this consultation are Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma.

One of the senior leaders cited above said he was satisfied with the process followed by the Congress leadership to record the views of leaders on Kishor's ideas, noting that members of the CWC, which is the highest decision-making body of the party, were consulted.

Kishor, it is learnt, had sent feelers to the Congress in May 2021, after the results of the Assembly elections were announced, about being keen on working for the party, not in the capacity of a political consultant but as a member of the party.

However, the Congress president will have to take into account the differences within the party with regard to what role he should be given.