‘Sidelined’ Prashant Kishor shoots off telling tweet

PATNA: A tweet from star election strategist Prashant Kishor indicated all isn't well between him and JD(U), which he joined last year and was shortly after promoted to national vice-president.


Kishor tweeted on Friday he was only learning and JD(U) general secretary RCP Singh was looking after JD(U)'s entire election process. Kishor and his advocacy group IPAC have been missing in action in campaigning.

"NDA is fighting polls with all strength in Bihar under the leadership of Narendra Modi and Nitishji. JD(U) has put the responsibility of election campaigning and management on the strong shoulders of experienced leader RCP Singh. My role in the initial phase of my political career is to learn and support the party," tweeted Kishor, who had played a pivotal role in Bihar's grand alliance - JD(U), RJD and Congress - that won the 2015 assembly polls in Bihar and, before that, was election strategist for Narendra Modi in 2014.



At Kishor's joining ceremony in September, JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar told party workers he was the "future" of JD(U). "Kishor had become the effective No. 2 in the party and Nitishji was even looking for a political successor in him. But the situation has changed," a JD(U) functionary said.

That has been apparent for a while. For instance, talking to a web portal earlier this month, Kishor said Nitish should have sought a fresh mandate after coming out of the Grand Alliance in 2017, rather than forming a new government with BJP.

Party insiders claimed such statements gave an opportunity to Kishor's critics in JD(U). "Those from conventional political backgrounds in JD(U) never accepted Kishor. And he gave them opportunity by making such statements, campaigning for YSR Congress and meeting Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray. As a result, Kishor has been replaced as the party's No. 2 by RCP," a JD(U) functionary said.