India / Prashant Kishor resigns as Principal Advisor to Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh

New Delhi: Ahead of 2022 polls, political strategist and tactician Prashant Kishor has quit as principal advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, saying he had decided to take a “temporary break” from an active role in public life.

“In view of my decision to take a temporary break from an active role in public life, I've not been able to take over the responsibilities as your Principal Advisor. I request you to kindly relieve me from this responsibility,” Prashant Kishor wrote in a letter to the Captain.

The Captain had appointed Kishor as his Principal Advisor with rank and status of a Cabinet minister in March this year.

The CMO had said that Kishor would be working pro bono and will be paid Re 1 per month as a token honorarium. However, he will be entitled to perks including a government residence, half a dozen staff members, free transport, free air travel, telephone and medical facilities.

Amarinder had brought Kishor onboard ahead of the 2017 polls. The grand old party under Captain’s leadership secured a thumping majority winning 77 seats.

Kishor is seeking a national role in Congress and according to a TOI report wants a “part” in the decision-making of the party’s affairs.

Kishor has also suggested that high command should form a special advisory committee, under the chairpersonship of party president Sonia Gandhi. The panel will take all the political decisions like forming alliances and finalizing campaign strategies.

Kishor’s Indian Political Action Committee (IPAC) had helped Trinamool Congress in stopping the BJP juggernaut in West Bengal. While Mamata Banerjee’s party bagged 213 seats, the saffron party won 77.

Before the results, the political strategist had predicted that the BJP would not cross 100 seats in Bengal.

Rewarding Kishor, TMC extended its association with I-PAC till the next assembly election in 2026.