India / Left Mamata even before WB poll results: BJP on Kishor joining Punjab govt

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Tuesday, took a jibe at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after her political advisor Prashant Kishor was appointed as the principal advisor of Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. Addressing a press conference, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said that Kishor 'left' Mamata Banerjee 'even before the results are announced'.

"Prashant has also left didi (Banerjee). Even before the election results are announced, her biggest adviser has joined someone else. This speaks a lot," Patra said.

On Monday, Captain Amarinder Singh announced that Kishor has joined him as his political advisor. "Prashant Kishor has joined me as my Principal Advisor. Look forward to working together for the betterment of the people of Punjab," Singh had said in a tweet.

The move comes ahead of Assembly polls in Punjab, which is slated to face the ballot next year. Kishor has been Singh's advisor even in the past as he was instrumental in Congress coming to power in the state during the previous Assembly polls.

Kishor's exit 'realisation' of the fact that the BJP will win 200 seats: Patra

He has been working as the poll strategist of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal for the forthcoming elections. Last week, the Election commission announced that West Bengal will go to polls in eight phases starting March 27. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.

Patra cited the move as a 'realisation' of the fact that the BJP will win 200 seats in the 294-seater West Bengal Assembly. "The so-called political adviser has also realised this," Patra said, citing claims by senior BJP leaders Amit Shah and JP Nadda that the party will win 200 seats in the state.

In an interview with Times Now, Kishor had claimed that the BJP will not be able to cross the double-digit mark in the TMC-dominated state.