With news of dissent among Congress leaders flying thick and fast on poll strategist Prashant Kishore (PK) playing a domineering role in the run up to the 2017 UP Assembly polls, the party on Thursday chose to water down the issue claiming that PK is among numerous people who will help the Congress party in regaining power in the state.
“PK is one of the persons who will contribute to planning the polls strategy for Congress in the Assembly polls,” clarified AICC general secretary and UP in-charge, Madhusudan Mistri in lucknow on Thursday.
“PK is like the doctors, professors and other professionals who contribute to the party in their own ways but he has not joined the party. The party is yet to decide on whether to project any Chief Ministerial candidate or not for the polls,” said Mistri.
The Congress leader who chaired a meeting of senior leaders at the state party headquarters in the presence of PK on Thursday, however did not elaborate on the ‘financial package’ being handed out to the poll strategist.
“It is nothing new, we always seek help from people to enhance the chances of the party in elections. let me clarify, PK will have no say in the selection of candidates for the UP polls. A committee of central leaders are in the process of screening and finalising candidates for the polls in five states. After that, the same committee would take up the case of UP candidates,” explained teh Congress general secretary.
In his address to media persons, UP Congress chief Nirmal Khatri too emphasized said that PK was a part of the team of Congress, and will assist the party to rectify the lapses and weakness ahead of the UP polls.
Earlier at a meeting at Congress headquarters on Mall Avenue, PK addressed district and city chiefs presidents, state vice-presidents and general secretaries separately and sought details mostly about caste factors in their respective districts.
Without mincing words, PK is reported to have said, “I do not havbe a magic wand to bring Congress to power in UP. You will have to work hard and help the party in gaining power.”
PK also asked the leaders to select 20 dedicated Congress workers in every district and Assembly segments, who did not hodl any post in any outfit of the party. He said these workers will be trained in New Delhi, to work in a targeted manner for the imminent polls.
The poll strategist also handed them a lengthy questionnaire each seeking details about the caste combine in their area and other related aspects. The leaders have been asked to file their replies in the prescribed format within a month.