Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party has challenged the 2025 Bihar Assembly election results in the Supreme Court, seeking fresh polls over alleged violations via the state government's Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana cash scheme.


Bihar Polls Under Fire: Prashant Kishor Seeks Re-Election 

In the presence of political strategist-turned politician Prashant Kishore (referred to as PK), actor-politician Joseph Vijay lashed out at India&rsquo;s ruling BJP and its rival party Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s ruling DMK while addressing his fledgling political party&rsquo;s first anniversary celebration in Mamallapuram. &ldquo;We are an emerging primary political force in Tamil Nadu politics, with a firm commitment to create history in the 2026 state assembly polls, just like it had happened in 1967 and 1977 here,&rdquo; Vijay said.
In his usual style, without naming the respective parties, Vijay took on the BJP and DMK, while referring to the ongoing row between them over the National Education Policy and the Hindi imposition debate. He stated that granting funds for education was the central government&rsquo;s (BJP) duty, while fighting for the rights is the state government&rsquo;s (DMK) duty. Vijay claimed that the recent hashtag wars between the DMK and BJP were &ldquo;pre-planned&rdquo; and that the two ruling parties were fighting in a &ldquo;silly manner&rdquo; over a serious issue.
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-20-civil-service-employees-resigned-from-trumps-doge-in-protest-8758303" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Over 20 civil service employees resigned from Trump&rsquo;s DOGE in protest</a>
Vijay also emphasised the importance of booth-level agents who work at the grassroots level and reach out to the masses. He said that his budding party would strengthen its booth-level presence and showcase its strength in the political arena.
<h2>TVK has roped in PK to take on DMK and BJP?</h2>
Prashant Kishore, the political strategist-turned politician, was the &lsquo;chief guest&rsquo; at the anniversary event, where he spoke highly of Vijay and his political party. Interestingly, PK has earlier worked as a political and election strategist with major Indian political parties such as the BJP, Congress, DMK, TMC, and YSRCP, among others.
&ldquo;Vijay&rsquo;s party TVK is a movement of millions who want to see a new political order, this is a time for change, and your party represents change and hope. I am here because of shared values, ideals, ideologies, goals, and desires,&rdquo; PK said of Vijay&rsquo;s party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Kishore also alleged that Tamil Nadu is the most politically corrupt state in India.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m7m1erqv-2ktnq4vr-bbowfm3g">
"I have to become the most popular Bihari in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNadu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TamilNadu</a>..so, i have to compete with MS Dhoni, who makes IPL team CSK win..I'll make <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TVK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TVK</a> under your leaders win, that's why I'm here" political strategist Prashant Kishore Is this a joke or genuine confidence?? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vijay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Vijay</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TVKVijay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TVKVijay</a> <a href="https://t.co/jKXB19HhbV">pic.twitter.com/jKXB19HhbV</a>
&mdash; Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1894742464889786550?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
 In what is being widely seen as boastfulness, PK also claimed that by making Vijay&rsquo;s party win the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, he could end up becoming more popular in the state than his fellow Bihari and former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni, who plays for the local Chennai Super Kings IPL team. &ldquo;I will make TVK under your leader win, that is why I am here,&rdquo; PK claimed.&nbsp;
PK added that he would return to Tamil Nadu in 2026 to deliver a &lsquo;thank you speech&rsquo; to the people of the state after the victory of the TVK party.
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-gaza-number-one-us-president-shares-his-vision-of-post-war-region-with-netanyahu-chilling-by-pool-8758822" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&lsquo;Trump Gaza number one&rsquo;: US president shares his vision of post-war region, with Netanyahu chilling by pool</a>

India News | Entertainment: “We are an emerging primary political force in Tamil Nadu politics, with a firm commitment to create history in the 2026 state assembly polls, just like it had happened in 1967 and 1977 here,” Vijay said.

In the presence of political strategist-turned politician Prashant Kishore (referred to as PK), actor-politician Joseph Vijay lashed out at India’s ruling BJP and its rival party Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK while addressing his fledgling political party’s first anniversary celebration in Mamallapuram. “We are an emerging primary political force in Tamil Nadu politics, with a firm commitment to create history in the 2026 state assembly polls, just like it had happened in 1967 and 1977 here,” Vijay said. In his usual style, without naming the respective parties, Vijay took on the BJP and DMK, while referring to the ongoing row between them over the National Education Policy and the Hindi imposition debate. He stated that granting funds for education was the central government’s (BJP) duty, while fighting for the rights is the state government’s (DMK) duty. Vijay claimed that the recent hashtag wars between the DMK and BJP were “pre-planned” and that the two ruling parties were fighting in a “silly manner” over a serious issue. Also read: Over 20 civil service employees resigned from Trump’s DOGE in protest Vijay also emphasised the importance of booth-level agents who work at the grassroots level and reach out to the masses. He said that his budding party would strengthen its booth-level presence and showcase its strength in the political arena. TVK has roped in PK to take on DMK and BJP? Prashant Kishore, the political strategist-turned politician, was the ‘chief guest’ at the anniversary event, where he spoke highly of Vijay and his political party. Interestingly, PK has earlier worked as a political and election strategist with major Indian political parties such as the BJP, Congress, DMK, TMC, and YSRCP, among others. “Vijay’s party TVK is a movement of millions who want to see a new political order, this is a time for change, and your party represents change and hope. I am here because of shared values, ideals, ideologies, goals, and desires,” PK said of Vijay’s party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Kishore also alleged that Tamil Nadu is the most politically corrupt state in India. "I have to become the most popular Bihari in #TamilNadu..so, i have to compete with MS Dhoni, who makes IPL team CSK win..I'll make #TVK under your leaders win, that's why I'm here" political strategist Prashant Kishore Is this a joke or genuine confidence?? #Vijay #TVKVijay pic.twitter.com/jKXB19HhbV — Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) February 26, 2025 In what is being widely seen as boastfulness, PK also claimed that by making Vijay’s party win the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, he could end up becoming more popular in the state than his fellow Bihari and former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni, who plays for the local Chennai Super Kings IPL team. “I will make TVK under your leader win, that is why I am here,” PK claimed. PK added that he would return to Tamil Nadu in 2026 to deliver a ‘thank you speech’ to the people of the state after the victory of the TVK party. Also read: ‘Trump Gaza number one’: US president shares his vision of post-war region, with Netanyahu chilling by pool

Actor Vijay’s TVK teams up with PK to attack DMK and BJP

A politician from the Indian state of Bihar, Prashant Kishore, ended up in a heated argument with the protesting Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) aspirants in Patna when he said to one of them, "You have just demanded kambal (blanket) from me and now showing attitude." The incident took place on Monday (Dec 30) when the protesters accused the Jan Suraaj Party chief, who claimed to support them, of being absent when police resorted to lathi charges and used water cannons on them.&nbsp;
In a viral video, the heated argument between Kishore and a student showed the politician making the remark to a protesting student who replies, "Are you going to bully us over a blanket now?"
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m5ay2wog-fkoo44si-ty5b1mxo">
दो कौड़ी के बाज़ारू लोग राजनीति को भी दुकानदारी समझ बैठे है। जैसे अपने पेड स्टाफ सह पेड कार्यकर्ताओं पर धौंस जमाते है वैसे ही जनता को समझ लिया है। इ बिहार है बाज़ारू बाबू- बीजेपी के पैसे से यहाँ वोट और मुद्दा नहीं बंटेगा <a href="https://t.co/Wx0YGXNKPV">pic.twitter.com/Wx0YGXNKPV</a>
&mdash; Rashtriya Janata Dal (@RJDforIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/RJDforIndia/status/1873593035801731468?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2024</a></blockquote>
Another student was heard saying in the video, "We do not need your help, sir. You left the venue when the Patna police resorted to a lathi charge."&nbsp;
Also read | <a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-bandh-in-punjab-cripples-traffic-commercial-activities-affected-by-protesting-farmers-8577488" aria-label="India: 'Bandh' in Punjab by protesting farmers cripples traffic, hits commercial activities">India: 'Bandh' in Punjab by protesting farmers cripples traffic, hits commercial activities</a>
<img alt="BPSC PROTEST " src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x0/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2024/12/30/2.png" style="width: 1280px;">The Rashtriya Janata Dal (JDU) shared the video accusing Kishore of trying to undermine the protest.&nbsp;
"These worthless market people have started considering politics a business. They have considered the public as a business, just like they intimidate their paid staff and paid workers. This is Bihar, votes and issues do not get divided here by BJP's money," the RJD post read.&nbsp;
<h3>'Prashant Kishore, go back'&nbsp;</h3>
The students are demanding a re-examination of the 70th preliminary exam of BPSC and a meeting with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.&nbsp;
<figure class="image"><img alt="Prashant Kishore's ugly comment on student. " src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2024/12/30/4RXuqhq8LmHqbWdwOL2P.png" style="width: 1280px;">
<figcaption>Photograph: (PTI)</figcaption>
</figure>
The protest began on December 13 and has been supported by Kishore along with other politicians.&nbsp;
But during the lathi charge, Kishore allegedly left the protest area, which sparked fury among the students. When he came back, he met with students who demanded that he&nbsp; leave amid chanting of slogan "Prashant Kishore, go back."&nbsp;
Also read | <a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/carterpuri-an-indian-village-named-after-former-us-president-282226" aria-label="Carterpuri, an Indian village named after former US President Jimmy Carter">Carterpuri, an Indian village named after former US President Jimmy Carter</a>
In a press conference, Kishore rejected the allegations by students and claimed to support them and their cause. He further clarified that the protest was led by students. 
&ldquo;If our issues are not resolved, then the form that our agitation will take from January 2&hellip; we will put more strength in that and protest. On January 3, we will also go to court. We will also look into using whatever legal options are available... To avoid such a situation, we request the government to take a positive decision," he said.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)
&nbsp;

India News: In a viral video, the heated argument between Kishore and a student showed the politician extending the remarks to the student to which the student replied, "Are you going to bully us over a blanket now?" 

A politician from the Indian state of Bihar, Prashant Kishore, ended up in a heated argument with the protesting Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) aspirants in Patna when he said to one of them, "You have just demanded kambal (blanket) from me and now showing attitude." The incident took place on Monday (Dec 30) when the protesters accused the Jan Suraaj Party chief, who claimed to support them, of being absent when police resorted to lathi charges and used water cannons on them. In a viral video, the heated argument between Kishore and a student showed the politician making the remark to a protesting student who replies, "Are you going to bully us over a blanket now?" दो कौड़ी के बाज़ारू लोग राजनीति को भी दुकानदारी समझ बैठे है। जैसे अपने पेड स्टाफ सह पेड कार्यकर्ताओं पर धौंस जमाते है वैसे ही जनता को समझ लिया है। इ बिहार है बाज़ारू बाबू- बीजेपी के पैसे से यहाँ वोट और मुद्दा नहीं बंटेगा pic.twitter.com/Wx0YGXNKPV — Rashtriya Janata Dal (@RJDforIndia) December 30, 2024 Another student was heard saying in the video, "We do not need your help, sir. You left the venue when the Patna police resorted to a lathi charge." Also read | India: 'Bandh' in Punjab by protesting farmers cripples traffic, hits commercial activities The Rashtriya Janata Dal (JDU) shared the video accusing Kishore of trying to undermine the protest. "These worthless market people have started considering politics a business. They have considered the public as a business, just like they intimidate their paid staff and paid workers. This is Bihar, votes and issues do not get divided here by BJP's money," the RJD post read. 'Prashant Kishore, go back' The students are demanding a re-examination of the 70th preliminary exam of BPSC and a meeting with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Photograph: (PTI) The protest began on December 13 and has been supported by Kishore along with other politicians. But during the lathi charge, Kishore allegedly left the protest area, which sparked fury among the students. When he came back, he met with students who demanded that he leave amid chanting of slogan "Prashant Kishore, go back." Also read | Carterpuri, an Indian village named after former US President Jimmy Carter In a press conference, Kishore rejected the allegations by students and claimed to support them and their cause. He further clarified that the protest was led by students. “If our issues are not resolved, then the form that our agitation will take from January 2… we will put more strength in that and protest. On January 3, we will also go to court. We will also look into using whatever legal options are available... To avoid such a situation, we request the government to take a positive decision," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

'You just demanded blanket from me...': Prashant Kishore's heated debate with BPSC protesters goes viral

Democracy is our dharma, and elections are its festival. Indeed, who here has not witnessed the beauty of the “Indian election season”.&nbsp;Politicians burst like crackers on prime-time television debates&nbsp; Streets and Newspapers are filled with colourful campaigns and party symbols. While the typical election campaign is commanded by the experienced and shrewd 'Netas' (politicians)&nbsp;with their inexperienced yet enthusiastic and young 'Karyakartas' (workers). The introduction of political consultancy firms might just shift the epicentre of Indian politics to corporate offices and IIT/IIM graduates.&nbsp;This is the corporatisation and professionalisation of democracy and elections.&nbsp;

Political Consultancy firms are organisations that assist political parties to win elections. These political consultancy firms offer various kinds of services which can include creating manifestos, promotional materials, campaign strategies, election funding policy ideas and media relations.&nbsp;

This phenomenon came to limelight in the aftermath of the 2014 elections. A key figure being Prashant Kishore, the founder of IPAC. Since then,&nbsp;such firms have played a huge role in elections in West Bengal, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab and others.&nbsp;

These political consultancy firms and election strategists claim to be politically uninterested, and ideologically ambiguous. Their only incentive is earning money in return for their service. You ask them, Modi or Gandhi? And they will reply, the one who pays me more. That is the corporate ethos seeping into our democratic culture.&nbsp;

So let us understand how democracy is being sabotaged&nbsp;by looking at three factors:&nbsp;money, traditional party structures and the rising influence of such firms.

The role of money has always been a controversial issue in Indian politics. The rise of political consulting firms will only make the situation worse. These professionals charge several lakhs for their services. Individual candidates can be charged up to an average&nbsp;of $30,000-$36,000 (Rs 25-30 lakhs). Whereas contracts with huge firms can go up to $18 million (Rs 150 crores). 

Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) estimated that this industry racked up to $96 million (Rs 800 crores) during the 2014 elections. The exaggeration of money's role in elections due to such firms can not be overstated. 

This means that the rich and elite, especially the spawns of corporate overlords and political dynasties, can pay such political consulting firms money to make up for their lack of experience and grasp of ground realities. Whereas those from humble backgrounds without access to such services will not stand a chance. Without a heavy profit margin, there will be no incentive to back a candidate.

Moreover, corporatisation and professionalisation are destroying the traditional structure of political parties. This usually consists of the upper order and the lower grassroot workers. 

Local units are usually responsible for campaigning, rallies and execution of plans. The local cadres have constantly provided India with her most diverse and charismatic leaders such as Lal Bahadur Shastri and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. 

They are a symbol of her representative democracy. However, today, the corporate machinery is replacing them and hence most local units view such firms as hostile.

A third problematic factor is the emergence of a strong lobby of political strategists who carry immense and unchecked influence. They influence government policies and&nbsp;have insight into what is going on in high-level meetings. They have essentially monopolised the connection between parties and people. 

They have the power to make or break elections and yet they lack any accountability or transparency. Party leaders and CM candidates have merely been reduced to the ‘face’ of the party, while allegations have emerged that the true authority rests with the election strategists.&nbsp;

Contrary to their claims of being uninterested in power, reports have emerged that various political consultancy firms are supposedly the ones deciding who is allowed to contest in elections.&nbsp;The supposedly uninterested assistants have become&nbsp;key figures in political parties' internal conflicts.&nbsp;

Though the prospect of using technology, data and recruiting firms to understand and change the political climate of India might sound exciting, the reliance on such firms will not have a healthy impact on Indian democracy. 

Such firms are like steroids; they may give a strong boost in the short run but will prove to be detrimental in the long term. The need of the hour is regulation and oversight. 

Though the law limits the amount of money that can be used by candidates during elections, the effectiveness and enforcement of such laws remain to be seen.The Election Commission needs to take&nbsp;cognisance of this pernicious trend and come up with possible solutions for the same.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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Democracy is our dharma, and elections are its festival. Indeed, who here has not witnessed the beauty of the “Indian election season”. Politicians burst like crackers on prime-time television debates Streets and Newspapers are filled with colourful campaigns and party symbols.

Democracy is our dharma, and elections are its festival. Indeed, who here has not witnessed the beauty of the “Indian election season”. Politicians burst like crackers on prime-time television debates Streets and Newspapers are filled with colourful campaigns and party symbols. While the typical election campaign is commanded by the experienced and shrewd 'Netas' (politicians) with their inexperienced yet enthusiastic and young 'Karyakartas' (workers). The introduction of political consultancy firms might just shift the epicentre of Indian politics to corporate offices and IIT/IIM graduates. This is the corporatisation and professionalisation of democracy and elections. Political Consultancy firms are organisations that assist political parties to win elections. These political consultancy firms offer various kinds of services which can include creating manifestos, promotional materials, campaign strategies, election funding policy ideas and media relations. This phenomenon came to limelight in the aftermath of the 2014 elections. A key figure being Prashant Kishore, the founder of IPAC. Since then, such firms have played a huge role in elections in West Bengal, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab and others. These political consultancy firms and election strategists claim to be politically uninterested, and ideologically ambiguous. Their only incentive is earning money in return for their service. You ask them, Modi or Gandhi? And they will reply, the one who pays me more. That is the corporate ethos seeping into our democratic culture. So let us understand how democracy is being sabotaged by looking at three factors: money, traditional party structures and the rising influence of such firms. The role of money has always been a controversial issue in Indian politics. The rise of political consulting firms will only make the situation worse. These professionals charge several lakhs for their services. Individual candidates can be charged up to an average of $30,000-$36,000 (Rs 25-30 lakhs). Whereas contracts with huge firms can go up to $18 million (Rs 150 crores). Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) estimated that this industry racked up to $96 million (Rs 800 crores) during the 2014 elections. The exaggeration of money's role in elections due to such firms can not be overstated. This means that the rich and elite, especially the spawns of corporate overlords and political dynasties, can pay such political consulting firms money to make up for their lack of experience and grasp of ground realities. Whereas those from humble backgrounds without access to such services will not stand a chance. Without a heavy profit margin, there will be no incentive to back a candidate. Moreover, corporatisation and professionalisation are destroying the traditional structure of political parties. This usually consists of the upper order and the lower grassroot workers. Local units are usually responsible for campaigning, rallies and execution of plans. The local cadres have constantly provided India with her most diverse and charismatic leaders such as Lal Bahadur Shastri and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. They are a symbol of her representative democracy. However, today, the corporate machinery is replacing them and hence most local units view such firms as hostile. A third problematic factor is the emergence of a strong lobby of political strategists who carry immense and unchecked influence. They influence government policies and have insight into what is going on in high-level meetings. They have essentially monopolised the connection between parties and people. They have the power to make or break elections and yet they lack any accountability or transparency. Party leaders and CM candidates have merely been reduced to the ‘face’ of the party, while allegations have emerged that the true authority rests with the election strategists. Contrary to their claims of being uninterested in power, reports have emerged that various political consultancy firms are supposedly the ones deciding who is allowed to contest in elections. The supposedly uninterested assistants have become key figures in political parties' internal conflicts. Though the prospect of using technology, data and recruiting firms to understand and change the political climate of India might sound exciting, the reliance on such firms will not have a healthy impact on Indian democracy. Such firms are like steroids; they may give a strong boost in the short run but will prove to be detrimental in the long term. The need of the hour is regulation and oversight. Though the law limits the amount of money that can be used by candidates during elections, the effectiveness and enforcement of such laws remain to be seen.The Election Commission needs to take cognisance of this pernicious trend and come up with possible solutions for the same. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Rise of political consultancy firms revolutionising or undermining democracy?

A political controversy erupted in West Bengal during the fourth phase of the elections when BJP's IT cell released an audiotape of Trinamool' election strategist Prashant Kishor where he was heard saying a 'ClubHouse' chat that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hugely popular in West Bengal and this is one of the factors that will decide which party sweeps the state.

BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya claimed that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's election strategist Prashant Kishor had accepted the BJP's victory. Malviya shared the audio of Prashant Kishor's discussion on the ClubHouse platform on social media. In this, Kishor is chatting with some journalists.

In a public chat on ClubHouse, Mamata Banerjee's election strategist concedes that even in TMC's internal surveys, BJP is winning. The vote is for Modi, polarisation is a reality, the SCs (27 per cent of WB's population), Matuas are all voting for the BJP, Amit Malviya- National in-charge of BJP's Information &amp; Technology department wrote in his tweet.

In the audio, Kishor is saying that on a public chat at the clubHouse, Prashant Kishor admitted that BJP is winning in TMC's internal survey too. People are voting for Modi and polarization has taken place. SC and Matua, 27 per cent of Bengal's population all voted for the BJP.

Another candid admission by Kishor is that -- all that the Left, Congress and TMC ecosystem have done in the last 20 years is Muslim appeasement. The implication,&nbsp;It has resulted in resentment on the ground. The speakers had not realised that the chat was public, Malviya wrote.

That moment when Mamata Banerjee's strategist realised that the ClubHouse room was open and his admissions were being heard by the public at large and not just a handful of Lutyens journalist. Deafening silence followed, Malviya added.

Prashant Kishor was immediate to react. "I am happy that the people of BJP are taking my clubHouse chat more seriously than the statements of their leaders. I appeal to them to release the entire conversation except for some part of the chat. In the part that has been released, the question was being answered about how BJP is getting 40 per cent votes and how it has been thinking that the BJP is winning. He also said through social media that the BJP will not be able to cross the 100 mark in Bengal elections" Kishore tweeted.

A political controversy erupted in West Bengal during the fourth phase of the elections when BJP's IT cell released an audiotape of Trinamool' election strategist Prashant Kishor where he was heard saying a 'ClubHouse' chat that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hugely popular in West Bengal and this is one of the factors that will decide which party sweeps the state.

A political controversy erupted in West Bengal during the fourth phase of the elections when BJP's IT cell released an audiotape of Trinamool' election strategist Prashant Kishor where he was heard saying a 'ClubHouse' chat that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hugely popular in West Bengal and this is one of the factors that will decide which party sweeps the state. BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya claimed that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's election strategist Prashant Kishor had accepted the BJP's victory. Malviya shared the audio of Prashant Kishor's discussion on the ClubHouse platform on social media. In this, Kishor is chatting with some journalists. In a public chat on ClubHouse, Mamata Banerjee's election strategist concedes that even in TMC's internal surveys, BJP is winning. The vote is for Modi, polarisation is a reality, the SCs (27 per cent of WB's population), Matuas are all voting for the BJP, Amit Malviya- National in-charge of BJP's Information & Technology department wrote in his tweet. In the audio, Kishor is saying that on a public chat at the clubHouse, Prashant Kishor admitted that BJP is winning in TMC's internal survey too. People are voting for Modi and polarization has taken place. SC and Matua, 27 per cent of Bengal's population all voted for the BJP. Another candid admission by Kishor is that -- all that the Left, Congress and TMC ecosystem have done in the last 20 years is Muslim appeasement. The implication, It has resulted in resentment on the ground. The speakers had not realised that the chat was public, Malviya wrote. That moment when Mamata Banerjee's strategist realised that the ClubHouse room was open and his admissions were being heard by the public at large and not just a handful of Lutyens journalist. Deafening silence followed, Malviya added. Prashant Kishor was immediate to react. "I am happy that the people of BJP are taking my clubHouse chat more seriously than the statements of their leaders. I appeal to them to release the entire conversation except for some part of the chat. In the part that has been released, the question was being answered about how BJP is getting 40 per cent votes and how it has been thinking that the BJP is winning. He also said through social media that the BJP will not be able to cross the 100 mark in Bengal elections" Kishore tweeted.

West Bengal: BJP shares audio chat of Prashant Kishor praising PM Modi

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's political debut as the Congress party's general secretary for eastern Uttar Pradesh is, as Prashant Kishor put it, one of the most awaited entries in Indian politics. It has created an unprecedented buzz and was the top trend worldwide on social media. That should make people in the party feel good. The question is what good will it do to the party's fortunes in the coming General Election. Equally important is the question: Why now?

As of now, no one knows whether and how her arrival on the scene will help the Congress party, hurt its principal opponent the BJP or harm the chances of friendly rivals like the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party. If the last of the Gandhis to take the plunge succeeds and the Congress ends up with a score or more Lok Sabha seats in UP besides becoming the main prop of a new government, then pundits and charlatans alike would hold forth on the success formula that did the trick. That is always after the results, never before.

On the other hand are those who believe that Priyanka's entry will wreck the SP-BSP alliance's chances of sweeping UP and boost the BJP's prospects, thereby ensuring the return of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Common to those rooting for her and the Cassandras is their view of Priyanka as a game changer. When, in fact, she may be not the game changer, but the game.

Seeing her as a game changer means speculating on the basis of outcomes which are unknowable at this stage. On the other hand, viewing her as the game could help one understand what considerations may have gone into the family's decision to launch her now.

The Congress party's sole aim is to increase its numbers in the Lok Sabha, regardless of whether this is achieved at the expense of the BJP, the SP-BSP alliance or any other party. Splitting the opposition vote has never held back any non-BJP party in electoral contests – every party is in the election, first and foremost, for itself. Thus, there is no reason for the Congress to give precedence to the interests and prospects of the SP-BSP alliance.

In UP, as elsewhere, the Congress party has hit rock-bottom. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the party won two seats and its vote share was 7.5 per cent. And, Rahul Gandhi did not win by a flattering margin in Amethi. The BJP's vote share was 42 per cent and the SP and BSP together accounted for 41 per cent. The assembly elections of 2017 saw the Congress fare even worse – its vote share fell further to 6.2 per cent whereas the SP-BSP together managed 44.2 per cent against the BJP's 39.47 per cent.&nbsp;

The SP's poor showing in the assembly election was blamed on its alliance with the Congress. This made the SP embrace Mayawati's BSP, leaving the Congress to fend for itself as a bit player in a state that elects 80 members to the Lok Sabha.

In the event, the Congress had little choice but to raise the stakes stupendously and go for broke. Which is exactly what it has done. Electoral necessity requires that it cast the BJP as its main enemy. Survival demands that it take votes from whoever else it can. After its recent victories in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, there is no way the Congress can afford to be on the back foot. Any sign of being marginalised, even if by allies, could weaken its governments in Karnataka, Rajasthan and MP.

Two, Congressmen being what they are have always looked to a vote-getter from the family to get them elected, with the party having no base, grassroots cadres and organisational structures in many parts of the country.

Three, while it is all very well to say that the non-BJP parties would decide their Prime Minister after the elections, the Congress has to project itself as the main challenger to the BJP. As matters stand and it became evident at the opposition's Kolkata rally, Rahul is not accorded any precedence over Mayawati and Mamata Banerjee.

With Sonia Gandhi retiring, the party would be bereft of a woman leader. This is a fraught deficiency in a party where, after Jawaharlal Nehru, it is two women – Sonia and Indira Gandhi – who were its most powerful leaders for long periods in the last 50 years. After Nehru, it is only under Sonia that the Congress got elected for two full terms. And, in history, Indira as a leader who won a war and split an 'enemy country' would occupy more pages than even Nehru.

These, among other considerations, left Priyanka as the only game the Congress could have played in the hope of a hawa turning the electoral tide. 
 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's political debut as the Congress party's general secretary for eastern Uttar Pradesh is, as Prashant Kishor put it, one of the most awaited entries in Indian politics.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's political debut as the Congress party's general secretary for eastern Uttar Pradesh is, as Prashant Kishor put it, one of the most awaited entries in Indian politics. It has created an unprecedented buzz and was the top trend worldwide on social media. That should make people in the party feel good. The question is what good will it do to the party's fortunes in the coming General Election. Equally important is the question: Why now? As of now, no one knows whether and how her arrival on the scene will help the Congress party, hurt its principal opponent the BJP or harm the chances of friendly rivals like the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party. If the last of the Gandhis to take the plunge succeeds and the Congress ends up with a score or more Lok Sabha seats in UP besides becoming the main prop of a new government, then pundits and charlatans alike would hold forth on the success formula that did the trick. That is always after the results, never before. On the other hand are those who believe that Priyanka's entry will wreck the SP-BSP alliance's chances of sweeping UP and boost the BJP's prospects, thereby ensuring the return of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Common to those rooting for her and the Cassandras is their view of Priyanka as a game changer. When, in fact, she may be not the game changer, but the game. Seeing her as a game changer means speculating on the basis of outcomes which are unknowable at this stage. On the other hand, viewing her as the game could help one understand what considerations may have gone into the family's decision to launch her now. The Congress party's sole aim is to increase its numbers in the Lok Sabha, regardless of whether this is achieved at the expense of the BJP, the SP-BSP alliance or any other party. Splitting the opposition vote has never held back any non-BJP party in electoral contests – every party is in the election, first and foremost, for itself. Thus, there is no reason for the Congress to give precedence to the interests and prospects of the SP-BSP alliance. In UP, as elsewhere, the Congress party has hit rock-bottom. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the party won two seats and its vote share was 7.5 per cent. And, Rahul Gandhi did not win by a flattering margin in Amethi. The BJP's vote share was 42 per cent and the SP and BSP together accounted for 41 per cent. The assembly elections of 2017 saw the Congress fare even worse – its vote share fell further to 6.2 per cent whereas the SP-BSP together managed 44.2 per cent against the BJP's 39.47 per cent. The SP's poor showing in the assembly election was blamed on its alliance with the Congress. This made the SP embrace Mayawati's BSP, leaving the Congress to fend for itself as a bit player in a state that elects 80 members to the Lok Sabha. In the event, the Congress had little choice but to raise the stakes stupendously and go for broke. Which is exactly what it has done. Electoral necessity requires that it cast the BJP as its main enemy. Survival demands that it take votes from whoever else it can. After its recent victories in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, there is no way the Congress can afford to be on the back foot. Any sign of being marginalised, even if by allies, could weaken its governments in Karnataka, Rajasthan and MP. Two, Congressmen being what they are have always looked to a vote-getter from the family to get them elected, with the party having no base, grassroots cadres and organisational structures in many parts of the country. Three, while it is all very well to say that the non-BJP parties would decide their Prime Minister after the elections, the Congress has to project itself as the main challenger to the BJP. As matters stand and it became evident at the opposition's Kolkata rally, Rahul is not accorded any precedence over Mayawati and Mamata Banerjee. With Sonia Gandhi retiring, the party would be bereft of a woman leader. This is a fraught deficiency in a party where, after Jawaharlal Nehru, it is two women – Sonia and Indira Gandhi – who were its most powerful leaders for long periods in the last 50 years. After Nehru, it is only under Sonia that the Congress got elected for two full terms. And, in history, Indira as a leader who won a war and split an 'enemy country' would occupy more pages than even Nehru. These, among other considerations, left Priyanka as the only game the Congress could have played in the hope of a hawa turning the electoral tide. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Priyanka ko Vanakkam

Janata Dal (United) vice-president Prashant Kishor on Thursday said it will be a fight between the BJP and the 'mahagathbandhan'&nbsp;(grand alliance) in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as the Congress is still not strong opposition.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Kishor, who is also an election strategist, said: "The fight is between the BJP and the 'mahagathbandhan'&nbsp;as the Congress is still not strong opposition."

Kishor, who had worked as an election strategist for both Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 and Nitish Kumar in 2015, joined the JD(U) in September last year. He was made JD(U) national vice-president after a month of joining the party. &nbsp; &nbsp;

On being asked to respond on allegations on him being recommended by BJP president Amit Shah to become JD (U) vice president, Kishor said that media has distorted Nitish Kumar's statement."

In an interview by a channel, Nitish Kumar was asked that why Prashant Kishor has been given such a big post and named JD(U) vice president then Kumar clarified that it is not monarchy and not only us but the president of our alliance partner (BJP) Amit Shah has called up and said to induct me to the party. It is because Nitish Kumar and I thought we need approval from the BJP, who is our alliance partner. Nitish Kumar has said it was not just JD(U)`s decision but also approval from our alliance to include me to his party," Kishor said.

This clarification came after a few media reports started doing rounds that Amit Shah dialled Bihar Chief Minister and JD (U) supremo Nitish Kumar twice as the recommendation to appoint Prashant Kishor as JD(U) vice president.

"Nitish Kumar has said that I have been working with his party for a long time and we share good terms and it`s not only him but Amit Shah has also called to induct me in JD(U)," Kishor told ANI.

"It clearly shows that both BJP and JD(U) have an understanding between each other and whatever decision we take we take in unison," he added.

Talking about the upcoming polls, Kishor stated that he has been tasked with the job of connecting the party with the youth ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

"I have been assigned the task of attracting young talent, from all social segments to politics which was becoming inaccessible and I am doing that," Kishor told ANI.

Kishor said that he is confident that the NDA alliance will be victorious in Bihar in the coming elections.&nbsp;

Janata Dal (United) vice-president Prashant Kishor on Thursday said it will be a fight between the BJP and the 'mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as the Congress is still not strong opposition.

Janata Dal (United) vice-president Prashant Kishor on Thursday said it will be a fight between the BJP and the 'mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as the Congress is still not strong opposition. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Kishor, who is also an election strategist, said: "The fight is between the BJP and the 'mahagathbandhan' as the Congress is still not strong opposition." Kishor, who had worked as an election strategist for both Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 and Nitish Kumar in 2015, joined the JD(U) in September last year. He was made JD(U) national vice-president after a month of joining the party. On being asked to respond on allegations on him being recommended by BJP president Amit Shah to become JD (U) vice president, Kishor said that media has distorted Nitish Kumar's statement." In an interview by a channel, Nitish Kumar was asked that why Prashant Kishor has been given such a big post and named JD(U) vice president then Kumar clarified that it is not monarchy and not only us but the president of our alliance partner (BJP) Amit Shah has called up and said to induct me to the party. It is because Nitish Kumar and I thought we need approval from the BJP, who is our alliance partner. Nitish Kumar has said it was not just JD(U)`s decision but also approval from our alliance to include me to his party," Kishor said. This clarification came after a few media reports started doing rounds that Amit Shah dialled Bihar Chief Minister and JD (U) supremo Nitish Kumar twice as the recommendation to appoint Prashant Kishor as JD(U) vice president. "Nitish Kumar has said that I have been working with his party for a long time and we share good terms and it`s not only him but Amit Shah has also called to induct me in JD(U)," Kishor told ANI. "It clearly shows that both BJP and JD(U) have an understanding between each other and whatever decision we take we take in unison," he added. Talking about the upcoming polls, Kishor stated that he has been tasked with the job of connecting the party with the youth ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. "I have been assigned the task of attracting young talent, from all social segments to politics which was becoming inaccessible and I am doing that," Kishor told ANI. Kishor said that he is confident that the NDA alliance will be victorious in Bihar in the coming elections.

Congress not a strong opposition to fight Lok Sabha polls, says Prashant Kishor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi out-campaigned all-comers in the 2014 general election but, as he faces his biggest mid-term test, he is up against a rival determined to beat him at his own game.

In Uttar Pradesh his opponent, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, has been repackaged as a youthful and media-savvy go-getter who seeks to steal a unique selling point of Modi&#39;s - development.

&quot;I am taking it a bit beyond Modi: I work,&quot; Yadav told Reuters in an interview in Lucknow, capital of the state of 220 million that is holding the biggest democratic election anywhere in the world this year.

&quot;My work speaks for itself. Modi&#39;s empty promises do not,&quot; said the 43-year-old leader of the Samajwadi, or Socialist, Party.

Yadav entered the vast election, being held over the course of a month, as a narrow favourite: He had just emerged from a power struggle with his domineering father and struck a pre-poll alliance with the Indian National Congress.

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While Modi excels as a stump speaker who can deliver an hour-long address without notes, Akhilesh has sought to connect with the youth vote via new media, taking personal control over his social media accounts and doing a Facebook Live with one of India&#39;s best-known TV journalists.

He has even climbed on a bicycle - his party&#39;s symbol - for another prime-time interview that gave him a chance to showcase the newly landscaped riverfront in the state capital.

Yadav&#39;s campaign has been backed by his wife Dimple, a member of parliament, who has courted women voters and helped create an image as a political &#39;power couple&#39;.

Throughout, Yadav has stayed firmly on message. Asked about endemic crime, he says he has set up a new police hotline that is ensuring quicker response times.

On developing his poor state where incomes average less than $750 a year, he highlights his achievements in building an expressway to Agra, site of the Taj Mahal, and a new city metro in Lucknow.

Winning and losing

Yadav became the youngest-ever chief minister of Uttar Pradesh with a slim mandate, winning just 29 percent in the 2012 state poll.

But in the general election two years later he was swept away by a Modi &#39;wave&#39; as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 42 percent of the vote in the battleground state.

Yadav, who received a university education in Australia yet became typecast as the ineffectual scion of a political patriarch, decided he needed a makeover.

&quot;It was at this point Yadav took a cue from Modi&#39;s image as a technology-loving modern man,&quot; said R.K. Mishra, an independent political analyst in Lucknow.

Yadav commissioned the construction of a mansion behind his old party headquarters to operate as his campaign &quot;war room&quot;.

He met two dozen Indian and international political scientists, and roped in Harvard graduates and marketing gurus from Mumbai. They set up a big data operation - cloning the backroom setup used by Modi in his own rise to national power.

&quot;The recruitment brief was clear: Everyone working in the war room should be in their thirties and have family in Uttar Pradesh,&quot; said Aashish Yadav, a campaign manager who previously worked at BBC Media Action, a development charity.

Aashish Yadav manages a team of 100 young men and women who compose jingles as well as messages that are circulated via WhatsApp and community radio services. &quot;Modi&#39;s campaign looks jaded compared to our blitzkrieg,&quot; said Aashish.

Gangster rule

It&#39;s been a tough sell for a party that under founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh&#39;s father, was criticised for breakdown of law and order. Many resented corruption that favoured the Yadav community - a &quot;backward&quot; caste that makes up 9 percent of the population of Uttar Pradesh.

&quot;Akhilesh had to dismantle the existing perception about himself and his party,&quot; said one close aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

By teaming up with Rahul Gandhi of Congress - another forty-something politician - Yadav hopes to prevail in the three-cornered contest with the BJP and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) led by Mayawati, a former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

&quot;There is a great deal of ease between the two leaders and this is making Modi nervous,&quot; said an aide to Gandhi, who is the son, grandson and great grandson of Indian prime ministers.

Pre-election polls put the Yadav-Gandhi alliance and the BJP in a close race, but no surveys are allowed during voting held over seven stages. Results are due on March 11.

Gandhi and Yadav have both turned for advice to Prashant Kishor, the strategist who stage-managed Modi&#39;s triumphant 2014 march on New Delhi.

Kishor later switched sides to help a similar opposition alliance defeat the BJP in Bihar, another big northern state, in late 2015. He now divides his time between advising Congress and Samajwadi.

The BJP&#39;s state leader in Uttar Pradesh, Keshav Prasad Maurya, dismisses the alliance as a fiasco and called the war room a poor imitation.

&quot;Yadav and Gandhi both lack imagination,&quot; he told Reuters. &quot;Being Modi is different from being like Modi.&quot;&nbsp;

(Reuters)

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister is seeking to steal a unique selling point of Modi's -- development

Prime Minister Narendra Modi out-campaigned all-comers in the 2014 general election but, as he faces his biggest mid-term test, he is up against a rival determined to beat him at his own game. In Uttar Pradesh his opponent, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, has been repackaged as a youthful and media-savvy go-getter who seeks to steal a unique selling point of Modi's - development. "I am taking it a bit beyond Modi: I work," Yadav told Reuters in an interview in Lucknow, capital of the state of 220 million that is holding the biggest democratic election anywhere in the world this year. "My work speaks for itself. Modi's empty promises do not," said the 43-year-old leader of the Samajwadi, or Socialist, Party. Yadav entered the vast election, being held over the course of a month, as a narrow favourite: He had just emerged from a power struggle with his domineering father and struck a pre-poll alliance with the Indian National Congress. While Modi excels as a stump speaker who can deliver an hour-long address without notes, Akhilesh has sought to connect with the youth vote via new media, taking personal control over his social media accounts and doing a Facebook Live with a TV journalist × While Modi excels as a stump speaker who can deliver an hour-long address without notes, Akhilesh has sought to connect with the youth vote via new media, taking personal control over his social media accounts and doing a Facebook Live with one of India's best-known TV journalists. He has even climbed on a bicycle - his party's symbol - for another prime-time interview that gave him a chance to showcase the newly landscaped riverfront in the state capital. Yadav's campaign has been backed by his wife Dimple, a member of parliament, who has courted women voters and helped create an image as a political 'power couple'. Throughout, Yadav has stayed firmly on message. Asked about endemic crime, he says he has set up a new police hotline that is ensuring quicker response times. On developing his poor state where incomes average less than $750 a year, he highlights his achievements in building an expressway to Agra, site of the Taj Mahal, and a new city metro in Lucknow. Winning and losing Yadav became the youngest-ever chief minister of Uttar Pradesh with a slim mandate, winning just 29 percent in the 2012 state poll. But in the general election two years later he was swept away by a Modi 'wave' as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 42 percent of the vote in the battleground state. Yadav, who received a university education in Australia yet became typecast as the ineffectual scion of a political patriarch, decided he needed a makeover. "It was at this point Yadav took a cue from Modi's image as a technology-loving modern man," said R.K. Mishra, an independent political analyst in Lucknow. Yadav commissioned the construction of a mansion behind his old party headquarters to operate as his campaign "war room". He met two dozen Indian and international political scientists, and roped in Harvard graduates and marketing gurus from Mumbai. They set up a big data operation - cloning the backroom setup used by Modi in his own rise to national power. "The recruitment brief was clear: Everyone working in the war room should be in their thirties and have family in Uttar Pradesh," said Aashish Yadav, a campaign manager who previously worked at BBC Media Action, a development charity. Aashish Yadav manages a team of 100 young men and women who compose jingles as well as messages that are circulated via WhatsApp and community radio services. "Modi's campaign looks jaded compared to our blitzkrieg," said Aashish. Gangster rule It's been a tough sell for a party that under founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh's father, was criticised for breakdown of law and order. Many resented corruption that favoured the Yadav community - a "backward" caste that makes up 9 percent of the population of Uttar Pradesh. "Akhilesh had to dismantle the existing perception about himself and his party," said one close aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity. By teaming up with Rahul Gandhi of Congress - another forty-something politician - Yadav hopes to prevail in the three-cornered contest with the BJP and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) led by Mayawati, a former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. "There is a great deal of ease between the two leaders and this is making Modi nervous," said an aide to Gandhi, who is the son, grandson and great grandson of Indian prime ministers. Pre-election polls put the Yadav-Gandhi alliance and the BJP in a close race, but no surveys are allowed during voting held over seven stages. Results are due on March 11. Gandhi and Yadav have both turned for advice to Prashant Kishor, the strategist who stage-managed Modi's triumphant 2014 march on New Delhi. Kishor later switched sides to help a similar opposition alliance defeat the BJP in Bihar, another big northern state, in late 2015. He now divides his time between advising Congress and Samajwadi. The BJP's state leader in Uttar Pradesh, Keshav Prasad Maurya, dismisses the alliance as a fiasco and called the war room a poor imitation. "Yadav and Gandhi both lack imagination," he told Reuters. "Being Modi is different from being like Modi." (Reuters)

UP elections: Akhilesh takes Modi on at his own game

Prashant Kishore is back.

The man behind the success of Mahagathbandhan in Bihar will manage the joint election campaign of the Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Uttar Pradesh&#39;s (UP)&nbsp;Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. Prashant Kishore single-handedly made the strategy which defeated Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bihar and ended up projecting Nitish Kumar in a way which BJP couldn&rsquo;t match during the assembly elections. Prashant Kishore was also involved in negotiations with Samajwadi Party with a close aide of Priyanka Gandhi. The earlier part of the discussion with the Samajwadi Party (SP) was held by Priyanka&rsquo;s aide in RGF and in end the discussions were taken up by Prashant Kishore, who concluded the alliance talks with SP.

Sources confirmed that by&nbsp;next&nbsp;week a new tagline for Uttar Pradesh elections would be announced by the team of Prashant Kishore. Earlier senior leaders of the Congress Party in Uttar Pradesh had ganged up against Prashant Kishore, who had to shift all his attention to Punjab. But with the alliance in place the wiz kid is back, and his&nbsp;new and radical communication strategy is anathema to the senior and the old guard. Prashant Kishore was the one who gave the famous tagline of 27 saal UP behal campaign, which subsequently got junked because of national compulsions.

Gulam Nabi Azad, the Leader of Opposition and in charge of Uttar Pradesh, also made it clear when he said that the alliance was stuck to keep BJP at bay in UP. Now Kishore will have to work up a different campaign theme taking on BSP and BJP simultaneously. Prashant Kishore during Lok Sabha elections had worked for the Narendra Modi&rsquo;s election campaign. He was the brain behind the famous chai for charcha campaign. The style of Prashant Kishore is to focus on the candidate and eliminate others from the political narrative.

Now his task is cut out.

(WION)

&nbsp;

Sources said a new tagline would be announced next week

Prashant Kishore is back. The man behind the success of Mahagathbandhan in Bihar will manage the joint election campaign of the Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Uttar Pradesh's (UP) Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. Prashant Kishore single-handedly made the strategy which defeated Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bihar and ended up projecting Nitish Kumar in a way which BJP couldn’t match during the assembly elections. Prashant Kishore was also involved in negotiations with Samajwadi Party with a close aide of Priyanka Gandhi. The earlier part of the discussion with the Samajwadi Party (SP) was held by Priyanka’s aide in RGF and in end the discussions were taken up by Prashant Kishore, who concluded the alliance talks with SP. Sources confirmed that by next week a new tagline for Uttar Pradesh elections would be announced by the team of Prashant Kishore. Earlier senior leaders of the Congress Party in Uttar Pradesh had ganged up against Prashant Kishore, who had to shift all his attention to Punjab. But with the alliance in place the wiz kid is back, and his new and radical communication strategy is anathema to the senior and the old guard. Prashant Kishore was the one who gave the famous tagline of 27 saal UP behal campaign, which subsequently got junked because of national compulsions. Gulam Nabi Azad, the Leader of Opposition and in charge of Uttar Pradesh, also made it clear when he said that the alliance was stuck to keep BJP at bay in UP. Now Kishore will have to work up a different campaign theme taking on BSP and BJP simultaneously. Prashant Kishore during Lok Sabha elections had worked for the Narendra Modi’s election campaign. He was the brain behind the famous chai for charcha campaign. The style of Prashant Kishore is to focus on the candidate and eliminate others from the political narrative. Now his task is cut out. (WION)

UP election: Prashant Kishore to manage joint SP-Congress campaign