Team News Riveting
Lucknow, October 8
Rahul and Priyanka Vadra Gandhi hugging the family members of Lakhimpur Kheri violence victims or staging a show at the airport with Congress Chief Ministers would not yield a desired political dividend for the party.
For, the poll strategist Prashant Kishor had predicted in negative whom the Congress party is alluring for preparing the design for the Uttar Pradesh polls.
Pointing towards Congress leaders protesting the eight deaths in UP following violence in Lakhimpur Kheri district, Kishor believed: “People looking for a quick, spontaneous revival of GOP-led opposition based on the Lakhimpur Kheri incident are setting themselves up for a big disappointment. Unfortunately, there are no quickfix solutions to the deep-rooted problems and structural weakness of GOP (Grand Old Party)”.
He relayed the message in a tweet. Political observers feel that Kishor indications are towards Congress internal troubles in Punjab, Rajasthan, and perhaps his own disenchantment with the GOP. Given Kishor’s close connection in the Trinamool, the poll strategist is learnt to be playing cards close to his chest.
Kishor’s closeness to the TMC has been increasing while senior leaders of Bengal’s ruling party including Abhishek Banerjee have been openly targeting the Congress.
Also, Kishor’s team is playing a vital role in Goa and Tripura for the TMC, which is now attempting to expand its base beyond West Bengal. For the last three days, TMC’s UP Twitter handle has been talking about the Lakhimpur Kheri incident. Apart from hitting out at the BJP, the Twitter account is also targeting Congress, saying TMC was the first party to reach the site of disturbance.
Kishor’s criticism of Congress could find some links with the TMC strategy.