Prashant Kishor shared stage today with Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee
Poll strategist Prashant Kishor shared stage today with Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee at a Trinamool Congress meeting, projecting "all-is-well" vibes amid fierce speculation of his break-up with the party.
On stage at a Trinamool meeting in Kolkata, Prashant Kishor's presence was an attempt to tackle rumours of his rift with Mamata Banerjee.
Mamata Banerjee has reportedly been upset with Prashant Kishor's outfit IPAC. Mr Kishor is close to her increasingly ambitious nephew, who has been advocating changes in the party. He is also going with Abhishek Banerjee to Goa, where the possibility of a hung verdict has galvanised parties into seeking alliances and pacts.
Abhishek Banerjee is seen as the main liaison between the party and I-PAC, which has worked with the Trinamool since its spectacular victory in the Bengal election last year.
The rift widened over Abhishek Banerjee's reported push to promote a 'One Man, One Post' policy in the party, resented by some of the party's older guard, some of whom hold multiple posts within the ruling establishment.
Last month, a public row broke out between Trinamool leader Chandrima Bhattacharya and the I-PAC after she alleged that her social media accounts had been "misused" by Prashant Kishor's team - a claim that was promptly challenged. Chandrima Bhattacharya was appointed Bengal's Finance Minister today as Prashant Kishor was seated on stage.
I-PAC had denied Ms Bhattacharya's charge and said: "I-PAC doesn't handle any digital properties of @AITCofficial or any of its leaders. Anyone making such claim is either uninformed or is blatantly lying. AITC should look into if and how their digital properties and/or that of their leaders are being 'allegedly (mis)used'."
Mr Kishor's presence on stage at a key Trinamool organisational event shows that despite the displeasure shown by Mamata Banerjee last month, the strategist and his I-PAC continue to work for the Trinamool. At the same time, it is clear that the Chief Minister will call the shots.