Political analyst Satish Kumar dwells on Kishor's decision to quit as poll strategist

Prashant Kishor's decision to quit as a poll strategist has created quite a buzz in Punjab's political circles. Earlier in March, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had appointed him as his principal adviser with a Cabinet rank. Amid speculations that he would continue to work as the CM’s principal adviser, political analyst Satish Kumar spoke at length on the matter to ETV Bharat.

Amritsar: After leading Trinamool Congress to victory in West Bengal assembly elections, poll strategist Prashant Kishor on Sunday announced his retirement from election management.

This has created quite a buzz in Punjab's political circles. In March this year, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had appointed Kishor as his principal adviser with a Cabinet rank. He had held several meetings with government officials, ministers and MLAs.

Amid speculations that he would continue to work as the chief minister’s principal adviser, political analyst Satish Kumar spoke at length on the matter to ETV Bharat.

Here are some excerpts from the interview.

ETV Bharat: How do you see Prashant Kishor's 'retirement' as a poll strategist? How is it going to affect the Punjab govt in the Assembly elections 2022?

Satish Kumar: Kishor's decision to quit has made one thing clear that he is not going to make a strategy for Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amrinder Singh in the next Assembly elections. The political parties used to hire him because of his ability to make a strategy that actually worked on the ground level but his decision to quit definitely means that he will not be working with the Punjab government.

ETV Bharat: What about Kishor's commitment to the Punjab govt? Does he fear the unfulfilled promises made by the Capt in 2017?

Satish Kumar: These factors do play a part. Kishor never said that he would be a campaigner for the Punjab govt, rather he was hired as the CM's principal adviser. The modus operandi of the Indian Political Committee (I-PAC) is to work one to one with political parties. It appoints people at the grass-root level, helping in building up campaigns. I think Kishor had not promised that to the Punjab government. So, it's high time for him to move on. Moreover, I also think that Kishor's team, which happens to be a group of 200 to 250 people will keep working.

ETV Bharat: So, you think that the I-PAC team will work with the Punjab govt sans Prashant Kishor?

Satish Kumar: Yes, I think so because the team has so many meritorious people who can work even without the presence of Prashant Kishor.

ETV Bharat: Who will run the show in the absence of the leader?

Satish Kumar: The leader is just a face whereas all the works are done by the workers. There is no doubt that Kishor has his own credibility and own way of seeing things which have borne fruit more often than not. But he has not done anything alone, there were a lot of people who worked in the background. And I think those people will work in Punjab too.

ETV Bharat: What's your take on his exit as the leader of the group? Will it harm Congress in the state in any way?

Satish Kumar: Look, I have the experience of working with Kishor and I can say that he is an "institution" in himself. His stature is such that he alone gets 20 to 30 percent of the work done because he is a thorough professional who sees everything minutely. So, the absence of Kishor is definitely a blow for Congress but I-PAC, as a company, is very much capable of doing the work.

ETV Bharat: After the recent spat between Capt Amrinder and Navjot Singh Sidhu, speculations are rife that the latter can be given any ministerial berth in the cabinet. Do you think that this unfulfilled commitment can also be a reason for Kishor to back out?

Satish Kumar: The Amrinder-Sidhu jodi can do wonders for Congress in the state. Sidhu has his own vote base which might drift if he chooses to leave Congress. If sources are to be believed, Sidhu was promised a bigger role in the party which he has been denied till now. It is also speculated that he might leave the party soon.

ETV Bharat: Do you mean to say that Sidhu is quitting the Congress?

Satish Kumar: It is on the cards. There is not much time left for the Assembly elections. We might see Sidhu quitting the party to contest either as an independent candidate or he may join any party. So, I don't see him with the Congress party for more than 10 or 20 days.

ETV Bharat: Apart from three bigger parties in the state, do you see the emergence of the fourth front in the state comprising of leaders like Parminder Dhindsa, Sukhpal Singh, Dharamveer Gandhi etc?

Satish Kumar: There is no doubt that these leaders have their own credibility but elections are not won just on the basis of faces. You need to have a cadre base to win the elections. You might be a good campaigner but if you don't have people with you, it will be tough to win elections.

ETV Bharat: If Sidhu decides to quit Congress, will it have an impact on the party?

Satish Kumar: It will have, for sure. Sidhu is a big name in state politics. If he campaigns against Congress, the party might lose a number of votes. No Opposition leader could challenge Capt Amrinder Singh in the last four years but Sidhu, given his stature, has the capability to do that. If this kind of development takes place, we might also see some "inner conflicts" within the Congress party in the state.