Patna : All sorts of speculations have started doing rounds over closed door meeting between Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and noted poll strategist Prashant Kishor.
Kumar himself confirmed his meeting with Kishore during his interaction with media persons on Saturday and said no political meaning should be inferred from it. There had been his relation with Kishore since long and there was nothing unusual if he called on him, he remarked.
Kishore, also tried to downplay his meeting with Kumar on Friday in New Delhi, saying it was just a courtesy call. He had always been respectful to Kumar who always gave his affection and blessings to him, he added. ” I met Kumar to enquire about his health as he was tested positive for Corona virus in January this year,” Kishor said adding that Kumar had also made a telephone call to him last year when he was ill after getting infected with Corona virus.
It was just a courtesy call, he remarked. Speculations in political circles are rife over meeting of Kumar with Kishore in view of 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Kishor is reportedly playing active role for a strong political alternative to present regime at the Centre. Few months back, Kishor was all set to join Congress but at last moment it could not materialise. Later, General Secretary of All India Congress Committee (AICC) Priyanka Gandhi had also confirmed that some issues came in the way of Kishor joining Congress at the last moment.
Kishore was the brain behind formation of Grand Alliance comprising RJD, JD(U) and Congress before 2015 Bihar Assembly Elections. Grand Alliance had emerged victorious defeating BJP and Alliance government was formed led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Later Kumar had inducted Kishore in JD(U) made Vice President of the party. He, was, however, sacked later from JD(U) after he expressed views different from the party line on some issues including Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Kishor had formulated election strategy of BJP in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, leading to impressive victory of the party and Narendra Modi became Prime Minister. He had also fine-tuned poll strategy of Mamata Banerjee during 2021 West Bengal Assembly Elections. Kishor is credited with preparing strategies of various political parties emerging victorious in state assembly elections across the country.