Congress leadership continues to hold talks with poll strategist Prashant Kishor to draw up plans to revive the party.
Amid rumours that he may be joining the grand old party, Kishor met Sonia Gandhi Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghelm and discussed national political scenario, and particularly the situation in these two states. The meeting was also attended by senior Congress leaders Ambika Soni, Digvijaya Singh, K.C. Venugopal, Mukul Wasnik, and Randeep Surjewala.
Although the discussion also focused on the political situation in Rajasthan, Sachin Pilot was not invited for the meeting. Party sources clarified that Pilot was not asked to be part of the meeting as it was a discussion involving only chief ministers.
After multiple meetings with Kishor, there are a few initiatives that the party has launched.
Mission 2024
Kishor submitted a detailed plan of action to Sonia Gandhi for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, including strategies that party needs to adopt and alliances it needs to form. The talks that are happening now are focused on states which will go to polls before the general elections— Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Karnataka.
What next?
Sonia asked a six-member committee—Priyanka Gandhi, Ambika Soni, Digvijaya Singh, K.C. Venugopal, Mukul Wasnik, and Randeep Surjewala—to study the proposals submitted by Kishor and come up with a report.
Is Kishor joining Congress?
Many in the party are of the opinion that Kishor should join the Congress. However, there are a few who say that he should be allowed to join the party only after he ensures victory of the Congress in the assembly polls. While Gehlot has openly welcomed Kishor to the Congress, a consensus among the national and state leaders about his entry will expedite the process.
What role will Kishor play in the party?
The primary task of the poll strategist, if he joins the party, would be to change the image of the party among people. Kishor argues that the Congress suffered setbacks in previous general elections as the party failed to present itself as a credible alternative to the BJP. People would see the Congress as an alternative to the saffron party only if the former comes up with excellent performances in the upcoming assembly polls.
Kishor will also be involved in strengthening the party at the grassroot levels and finding the finances to fight polls.
He will also play a crucial role in the attempts of the Congress to build alliances with Mamata Banerjee, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and K. Chandrashekar Rao.
Intervention of Sonia Gandhi
The discussions with Kishor are taking place at the residence of Sonia Gandhi. On the issue of Kishor joining the Congress, she has chosen to hold detailed discussions with party leaders before taking a decision. There are indications that she is in favour of Kishor joining the party, but the discussions are being held to understand the stance of other leaders on the issue. She is part of these marathon discussions despite her frail health.
Stance of G-23 leaders
G-23 leaders too are reportedly in favour of Kishor joining the Congress. Former union minister M. Veerappa Moily, who was earlier part of the G-23, has pointed out that only those who are averse to change oppose entry of Kishor into the Congress. Moily has been distancing himself from the dissident G-23 leaders and cosying up to the party leadership.
Sonia Gandhi's discussions with Kishor is also part of her efforts to end the criticism of G-23 leaders regarding party leadership.
What next?
Details of the discussions with Kishor will be presented at the Congress Chintan Shivir to be held in Rajasthan next month.
Organisational polls: Meeting held
A meeting of the central election committee of the Congress was held in the national capital to discuss preparations for the organisational polls to elect a new national president. The meeting, presided by Madhusudan Mistry, discussed elections of the youth and block presidents which is the first step in organisational polls.
(This story originally appeared in Malayala Manorama)
