PANAJI/NEW DELHI: Days after poll strategist Prashant Kishor’s talks with Congress derailed, he once again targeted the grand old party saying that the BJP will continue to be a force to reckon for decades to come and problem is with former party chief Rahul Gandhi that he does not realise this.
The Congress soon hit back at Kishor saying that only Congress and Rahul Gandhi can stop the BJP.
Speaking over phone to The New Indian in Delhi, Congress spokesperson Alka Lamba said, “One thing is clear that they want to convey that as Rahul Gandhi and Congress is not standing and thus BJP is going to rule, but it’s Rahul Gandhi and Congress that can stop the BJP and (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi.”
Her remarks came a day after latest bomb shell dropped by IPAC founder Kishor at an interaction hosted at Museum of Goa on Wednesday, a video of which went viral on Thursday which was shot by an audience present there. Kishor had slammed the Congress during the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, days after his talks with the Congress leadership failed. Also Read: Rahul Slams Centre, Takes A Jibe After SC Order To Form Committee To Probe Pegasus Snooping Row
Kishor said, “The BJP is going to be in the centre of Indian politics, whether they win, whether they lose — like it was for the first 40 years for the Congress. The BJP is going nowhere. Once you secure 30 per cent vote at the India level, you are not going away in a hurry.”
“So do not ever get into this trap that people are getting angry and they will throw away Modi. Maybe they will throw away Modi, but the BJP is not going anywhere. You have to fight it out for the next many decades,” he said, adding, “That is where the problem lies with Rahul Gandhi. Probably, he thinks that it is just a matter of time when people will throw him (Narendra Modi) away. That’s not happening.”
During the interactive session Kishor also said that “unless you examine, understand and take cognisance of his (Modi’s) strength, you will never be able to put a counter to defeat him.”
He further added that the problem that he sees is that most people are not spending enough time on understanding his (Modi) strengths, understanding what is making him popular. “Only if you know, you can find a counter,” Kishor said.
Kishor further pointed that if one looks at the electorate level, it is a fight between one-third and two-third.
“Only one third people are voting for the BJP or wanting to support the BJP. The problem is that the two-third side is so fragmented that it is divided into 10, 12 or 15 political parties, and that is primarily because of the decline of the Congress. It’s because the Congress has gone down, that 65 per cent has got fragmented, leading to a lot of individuals and smaller parties,” he added.
Kishor had earlier worked with the Congress during the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and also coined the slogan of “UP ke Ladke” that featured former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav along with Rahul Gandhi, highlighting the alliance with the Samajwadi Party. Kishor also worked for Punjab Congress in 2017 and brought the discussion with Captain Amarinder Singh.
Hitting out at Kishor, Lamba said, “They have given the message that many regional parties who contest in several states and divide the secular votes of Congress only benefits the BJP. So within the party (Congress), realisation is being done whether it is organisational elections and general secretaries and state in-charges have been appointed.” Also Read & Watch: Amid War Of Words Between Congress, RJD, Sonia Dials Lalu To Enquire About His Health
Slamming Kishor, Lamba said that “if Congress is weak and if we are not coming to power and then there is no other option and the BJP is going to rule for next few decades. So it is also a challenge for the 130 crore people of the country, unemployed people and those hit by inflation and about 80 crore population which is dependent on the government ration. So it is a challenge for the common people and the youths.”
Alleging the government of using money power, the Congress leader said, “Now why this is being said, I have two points, our Telangana in-charge has shown the packets containing currencies of Rs 500 and Rs 2,000. So if the elections are fought on the basis of the money power then this is a clarity that whatever be the condition entire system is in under control through money power and through Constitutional bodies. And it is a big challenge in front of the country.”
Targeting the BJP government, the Congress leader said that similarly on the issue of Pegasus, it was not about Rahul Gandhi. “The Supreme Court formed a committee after it thought that spying of citizens was being done. Even Israeli Ambassador has to say that we do not sell the software to any private companies and it is only given to government. So it is open to everyone to understand what is going on.”
Even Goa Congress chief Girish Chodankar said, “Since last one month, Trinamool Congress landed in Goa, I have always said that Amit Shah and ED were behind sending Trinamool Congress to Goa. Now, their strategist whose services are hired has confirmed my claim by saying BJP is here to stay. Trinamool is here to divide the votes. Agenda exposed.”
BJP’s Ajay Sehrawat is among those who have tweeted the clip. “Eventually, Prashant Kishor acknowledged that BJP will continue to be a force to reckon with in Indian politics for decades to come. That’s what Amit Shah Ji declared way too earlier,” he wrote on his Twitter handle attaching the video of Kishor.
Eventually, Prashant Kishor acknowledged that BJP will continue to be a force to reckon with in Indian politics for decades to come.
That's what @amitshai Ji declared way too earlier. pic.twitter.com/wqrqC3xzaZ— Ajay Sehrawat (@IamAjaySehrawat) October 28, 2021
Kishor has been instrumental in the victory of Trinamool Congress’s and DMK win in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu respectively earlier this year. Kishor was also instrumental in taking former Goa CM and Congress leader Luizinho Faleiro into Trinamool Congress. Kishor is also trying for expanding the base of Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress in Goa.