"Report Within 72 Hours": Congress On Prashant Kishor's Proposal

Today’s meeting — the fourth with Prashant Kishor in recent days — was also attended by senior leaders Jairam Ramesh, Ambika Soni, KC Venugopal, and Sonia Gandhi.

A report on Prashant Kishor’s proposal is expected within 72 hours, the Congress said.

Election strategist Prashant Kishor had another round of what was effectively a job interview at the Delhi home of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi today. Apart from the team that was to evaluate his proposal, there were two more leaders today — Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel, Chief Ministers of the two last Congress-ruled states. A report on the matter is expected within 72 hours, the Congress said.

Today’s meeting — the fourth with Mr Kishor in recent days — was also attended by senior leaders Jairam Ramesh, Ambika Soni, KC Venugopal, and Mrs Gandhi.

After the meeting, party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said the party is “evaluating” Prashant Kishore’s proposals. “Various others’ inputs are also being deliberated upon and a final report to be submitted within the next 72 hours to the Congress President,” he added.

While Mr Kishor — or PK — is known to be an election winner, his goals for the Congress include nothing less than the rejuvenation of the 137-year-old party that is practically facing a wipeout.

The Congress, thus, wants to take a collective decision, even though the final call will be taken by Sonia Gandhi.

Initially, most Congress leaders had played down the proposals of Mr Kishor, saying it was only a one-time proposal for Gujarat. Only later, Mr Kishor’s organisation IPAC said it involves the rejuvenation of the Congress and a strategy for the 2024 general elections. There is also the question of Mr Kishor’s entry to the party — talks for which fell through last year.

The wariness of the Congress stems from the big bang approach of Mr Kishor, which Gandhis feel might antagonize some leaders especially belonging to the Old Guard.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/report-within-72-hours-congress-on-prashant-kishors-proposal-2904987