Gujarat Elections 2017 series: Why Vaghela is pitching for Prashant Kishor

March 22, 2017
Gujarat Elections 2017 series: Why Vaghela is pitching for Prashant Kishor

Gujarat Elections 2017 Series

By Japan K Pathak

Desperate to catch the last train to become Chief Minister of Gujarat at the age of 76, Shankersinh Vaghela has in his latest attempt admired professional strategist Prashat Kishor who was hired by party in recently concluded State elections of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Punjab as a professional strategist.

Vaghela once again took social media route and said yesterday:

‘Since last 22 years bjp is ruling Gujarat, it has not ruled but rather ruined the state. Calculative Gujarati’s have made mind to get rid of inefficient & corrupt BJP Govt. To defeat BJP in Gujarat is not difficult. As per my information shri Prashant Kishorji was key person in winning 2012 & 2014 elections for BJP. His proper strategy and effective campaigning gave victory in Bihar and Punjab & will bring victory to congress in Gujarat & Himachal Pradesh.’

Now let’s see what’s happening.

Shankersinh Vaghela thinks Gujarat could be winnable State for Congress if he is projected as Chief Ministerial candidate and given free-hand or at least have opportunity for larger say directly under Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. Vaghela is independent by nature. He is like party within the party. Decisions and many times what he thinks wrong decisions or indecisiveness of other party leaders irk Vaghela.

Other prominent leaders in Congress believe Vaghela is overrating himself. They are also apprehensive about Vaghela’s loyalty as he is originally from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh/BJP background and he was about to leave Congress for BJP in 2009 and NCP in 2011 as per his own admission(on such occasions, Congress had placated him by offering the post of Director in National Tourism Corporation under UPA and also the post of Chairman of Campaign Committee for Gujarat elections in 2012).

Important decisions of Congress party regarding its Gujarat unit are taken or approved at two places in Delhi where Vaghela enjoys less or little access and favor.

If Prashant Kishor is at the helm of Gujarat elections affair, the conventional route of decision making and implementation in which Vaghela at present doesn’t enjoy much privilege may see disruption at least for the election season. Prashant Kishor route may offer a new link between Vaghela and the final decision maker in Delhi party vice president Rahul Gandhi. The other link in the party available at present is via Mumbai and one place in Delhi. Vaghela dislikes this route.

Vaghela it appears is hoping that Prashant Kishor who is unbiased to him will offer him more say in party at Delhi level. Kishor may convince party’s national leadership to try Punjab-style model in Gujarat. In Punjab, the party had declared Amrinder Singh as Chief Ministerial candidate and achieved success in elections. In Gujarat, Vaghela believes he deserves the Chief Ministerial candidate position on merit. Vaghela also seeks influence over ticket distribution, election agenda making and campaign.


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