Political strategist Prashant Kishor, who has managed election campaigns for both the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress, on Sunday joined the Janata Dal (United), an ally of the saffron party in Bihar. Kishor joined Janata Dal (United) in the presence of party chief and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during the party’s state executive meeting, News18 reported.
“Excited to start my new journey from Bihar,” Kishor had tweeted on Sunday morning.
Kumar presented Kishor with a stole and was seated next to the chief minister during the meet, an unidentified party official told PTI. It is not known what role has been assigned to Kishor. His induction into the party comes ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Kishor had formed the Indian Political Action Committee in 2015. He worked closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2014 General Elections. He also handled the Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress’ successful election campaign in Bihar in 2015. However, Kishor could not help the ruling Samajwadi Party and its ally Congress win the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
Kishor had said at an event at the Indian School of Business in Hyderabad in September that he would not handle poll campaigns in 2019. “In 2019, you would not see Prashant Kishore campaigning for anyone in the manner and form in which I have been campaigning in last 4-5 years,” he said. He added that he wanted to leave the Indian Political Action Committee “in safe hands”.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!