PK!

Veni, vidi, vici – Latin for I came; I saw; I conquered – is said to have had been quoted by Julius Caesar in a message to the Roman Senate after his victory in the Battle of Zela. Nowadays, it is used to refer to a swift and conclusive victory.

The phrase sits well on the shoulders of Prashant Kishor. Well, he doesn't need any introduction. After all, who hasn't heard of "chai pe charcha"?

He is credited with many political victories; no wonder West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee chose him as an advisor just ahead of 2021 assembly elections. This, after the 2019 Lok Sabha setback – losing a dozen seats compared to 2014 in her home turf.

And no wonder, a film star-turned-politician is also reported to have also sought his services in strengthening his party in Tamil Nadu. Insiders say Kishor’s I-PAC has close to 800 youth working for him in West Bengal and about 500 in Tamil Nadu.

Surprisingly, there is no effort on the strategist’s part to either learn Bengali or Tamil; or to get into the details of local culture and practice.

Yet, Kishor has already enacted his “10 commandments” for Mamata’s Trinamool, with a view at strengthening leadership at grassroots-level and leaders being accessible to the masses. He has done what many wished in private but never dared to speak: he has “asked” Didi to desist from commenting on a number of subjects.

Lately, Kishor is said to be seeking inputs from various professionals who are from these states for their ideas and suggestions.

On its part, BJP has alleged that Kishor is occasionally overstepping and interfering with the day-to-day routine of the state administration.

Trinamool insiders allege that he is frequently overstepping his brief and not only participate in party meetings but even calls up or calls on even block level leaders.

All allegations have been officially denied by Bengal's ruling party and the supremo remains quiet.

Some political workers believe that Narendra Modi would have become CM, later PM, with or without PK; ditto for Y S Jaganmohan Reddy and Amrinder Singh. They point out to the Congress’ humiliating defeat in UP despite PK’s support. To be fair, Kishor had claimed even before the UP assembly election results were out that Congress leadership had ignored his suggestions during campaign.

They also believe that there is a conflict of interest since PK holds an important post in Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), which is officially part of NDA.

Thus, the obvious questions: Why did Trinamool MP and Mamata’s nephew Abhisek Banerjee himself publicly usher in PK at CM’s office? Why pay an astronomical sum to such a person (though Trinamool claims PK is working pro-bono)?

ALSO READ: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/mamata-meets-prashant-kishor-what-s-next/433391

(This post is the musings of Jayanta Bhattacharya. It has nothing to do with where he works or what he does to earn his bread. In case of any criticism or suggestion, write to @Jayantab15 on Twitter / Facebook or jayantab15@gmail.com on email)