Upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh will not be just a battle of numbers but of strategies, and even of poaching best minds from the opposing camps. BJP president Amit Shah seems to have played the cards first in this regard by reportedly roping in some of the best minds trained by election strategist Prashant Kishor, who is camping in UP these days to change the fortunes of Congress party in the state after 27 years. According to a report published in the Indian Express, Shah has set up a team of 50 professionals who once used to work with Kishor’s organisation — Citizens for Accountable Governance.
Shah’s dislike for Kishor is popular ever since the latter was working with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the run up to the 2014 General Elections. Their mutual dislike of each other is also considered to be the reason why, Kishor shifted his camp, joining and making Nitish Kumar win a charged-up election in Bihar. The 50 people picked by Shah were once trained by Kishor. They include Kishor’s former colleagues Anil Jain, Anuj Gupta, Sunil Kanugulu, Alkesh and Himanshu Singh. The Indian Express reported that presently they are working for the BJP from Bengaluru and they will shift to Lucknow soon.
Ahead of the assembly elections in the state, more talent poaching are expected to take place. For political parties do not appreciate anti-poaching agreement like the corporates do. Both Shah and Kishor are considered as best election strategists in the country at present. As far as their head-to-head contest is concerned, Kishor leads 1-0, with successful campaign in Bihar. Will Shah manage to draw the score in UP 2017? Lets wait and watch.