New Delhi: Leaders in two tiers at a crucial meeting to decide on the entry of election strategist Prashant Kishore into the Congress. As the talks with the Congress progressed, the leaders raised the issue of Prashant Kishore’s blessed ‘I-Pak’ joining hands with the TRS in Telangana in front of Congress President Sonia Gandhi. With no consensus among the leaders, the final decision on matters including Prashant Kishore’s entry into the Congress was left to Sonia Gandhi.
Kishore, who has been leading I-Pak for a long time, had earlier announced that he was officially stepping down from its operations. However, one faction argues that the I-Pak should still be considered a juvenile institution and that it would not be beneficial to collaborate with someone who has electoral links with the politically divisive TRS.
While Priyanka Gandhi and Ambika Soni supported the teenager’s arrival, senior leaders Digvijay Singh, Mukul Wasnik, Randeep Singh Surjewala and Jairam Ramesh opposed it. AK Antony and KC Venugopal presented the pros and cons of Prashant coming. At a meeting at Sonia Gandhi’s residence, it was suggested that it would not be beneficial for the Congress to allow teenagers to do whatever they want at will.
Senior leaders also speculated that Prashant’s presence in the advisory role of Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress leader Jagan Mohan Reddy could affect the Congress move. Meanwhile, Sonia held a special meeting with senior leader Kamal Nath.
What’s wrong with you?
Prashant Kishore has been before the High Command since 2021 with a plan to give a fresh start to the Congress. Leaders say the teenager’s biggest shortcoming is joining hands with multiple parties in different states despite the ongoing debate without consensus.
Not only did he take on the advisory role of the NCP, the YSR Congress and the TRS, but he also took steps to weaken the Congress. Prashant had also put forward his own political agenda aimed at the 2025 Bihar elections.
Will create confusion: Telangana Congress
While Prashant Kishore’s ‘I-Pak’ has joined hands with the TRS in Telangana, the state Congress leadership has expressed resentment over continuing talks with him. This is thought to be confusing. TPCC President A. Rewanth Reddy responded that he had received assurances from the High Command that he would not cooperate with any party.
English Summary: Congress in a fix over Prashant Kishor joining party