Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala confirmed on Twitter today that poll strategist Prashant Kishor will not join the party, after more than a week’s speculation on his role with the party. Kishor has been ‘thanked’ for his ‘suggestions’. Asper his statement, Kishor was asked to be part of the ‘Empowered Action Group 2024’ with a “defined responsibility” which he declined.
Following a presentation & discussions with Sh. Prashant Kishor, Congress President has constituted a Empowered Action Group 2024 & invited him to join the party as part of the group with defined responsibility. He declined. We appreciate his efforts & suggestion given to party.
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) April 26, 2022
I declined the generous offer of #congress to join the party as part of the EAG & take responsibility for the elections.
— Prashant Kishor (@PrashantKishor) April 26, 2022
In my humble opinion, more than me the party needs leadership and collective will to fix the deep rooted structural problems through transformational reforms.
The Congress and Prashant Kishor hav been in a back-and-forth relationship since 2019, with earlier attempts at forging an alliance falling through as well. Kishor had criticized the Congress’ Gandhi-focused leadership and suggested its overhaul along with suggesting other shake-ups.
Media reported that certain leaders of the party were unhappy with Kishor’s association with political ‘rivals’ such as the Telangana Rashtra Samiti led by K Chandrashekhar Rao and Janata Dal (United) led by Nitish Kumar.
The Congress had announced yesterday that a convention (Chintain Shivir) will be organized in Udaipur, Rajasthan, between May 13th to 15th, on the roadmap and political strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Party President Sonia Gandhi approved lists of leaders who would lead the committees.
Disciplinary Action Against Sunil Jhakar, K.V. Thomas
The Congress also announced disciplinary action against Sunil Jhakar and K.T. Thomas, leaders from Punjab and Kerala respectively. The disciplinary panel recommended Jhakar’s suspension from the party for two years, based on his statement that he was supported by 42 MLAs to be chief minister after Amarinder Singh’s ouster. He was served a show-cause notice on April 11th for alleged ‘anti-party’ activities, including using ‘objectionable’ language against its Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and the SC community he hails from.
आज, सर कलम होंगे उनके
— Sunil Jakhar (@sunilkjakhar) April 26, 2022
जिनमें अभी ज़मीर बाकी है !*
*(My apologies to Javed Akhtar Saheb)
Similarly, K.V. Thomas is also facing action after attending a CPM event in Kerala, where the Congress-led UDF is in opposition. The panel has recommended that he be relieved of all posts in the party. The decision in both cases is up to party president Sonia Gandhi.
Gujarat Patidar leader Hardik Patel also expressed dissatisfaction with the Congress leadership today, and said it is up to them “whether he stays in the party or not”. Read more
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