Prashant Kishor, the political strategist, has suggested that if the Congress fails to achieve its desired outcomes in the Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi should contemplate stepping back.
During an interaction with PTI, Kishor emphasized that despite Gandhi’s extensive involvement in running the party, he has been unable to yield substantial results over the past decade and has refrained from relinquishing control or allowing others to lead the Congress.
Kishor criticized this approach as being “anti-democratic.” He highlighted the need for Gandhi to consider taking a break from his responsibilities, noting that even Sonia Gandhi had temporarily withdrawn from active politics after Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, allowing P V Narasimha Rao to assume leadership in 1991.
VIDEO | @ 𝟒 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭: “But it seems to Rahul Gandhi that he knows everything. Nobody can help you if you do not recognise the need for help. He believes he needs someone who can execute what he thinks is right. It is not possible. He should put a… pic.twitter.com/2fXjaEtNkN
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 7, 2024
According to Kishor, effective leaders acknowledge their shortcomings and actively seek assistance to address them. However, he expressed concern that Rahul Gandhi appears to believe he has all the answers and is resistant to seeking help or delegating tasks. Kishor emphasized the importance of recognizing the need for support, stating that without this acknowledgment, no one can assist in executing what Gandhi perceives as the right course of action.
Referring to Mr. Gandhi’s resignation as Congress president after the party’s disappointing performance in the 2019 elections, Prashant Kishor highlighted that Gandhi had previously stated his intention to step aside and let someone else take over. However, Kishor observed that Gandhi’s actions have contradicted his written intentions.
VIDEO | @ 𝟒 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭: “But it seems to Rahul Gandhi that he knows everything. Nobody can help you if you do not recognise the need for help. He believes he needs someone who can execute what he thinks is right. It is not possible. He should put a… pic.twitter.com/2fXjaEtNkN
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 7, 2024
Kishor noted that many Congress leaders feel they are unable to make decisions within the party without seeking approval from Rahul Gandhi. He referred to an unnamed figure as “xyz” indicating the need for leaders to defer to Gandhi’s authority.
However, Kishor also mentioned that some Congress leaders privately express frustration over Gandhi’s reluctance to make decisions, suggesting a perceived vacuum in leadership.
Kishor stressed that the Congress party and its supporters transcend any individual, implying that Gandhi should not insist on being the sole deliverer of success for the party despite repeated failures.
As a seasoned strategist involved in successful political campaigns, Kishor underscored the necessity of addressing the structural flaws within the Congress party for its future success.
VIDEO | @ 𝟒 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭: “There is a structural flaw in the way the party (Congress) has been structured and it functions, the way it connects with people, the way it does its outreach, the way it rewards its workers,” political strategist Prashant Kishor… pic.twitter.com/OHZL30CQtq
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 7, 2024
Responding to inquiries about the BJP’s accusation of “parivarwaad” (dynastic rule) against the Congress and various regional parties, he conceded that this criticism resonates with the public.
He noted that ascending to leadership positions solely due to one’s family name might have been advantageous in the post-independence era but is now considered a liability.
“Whether it’s Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, or Tejashwi Yadav, while their respective parties may have embraced them as leaders, the public sentiment towards them is not as favorable. Has Akhilesh Yadav been able to lead the Samajwadi Party to victory?” he queried.
