Is Prashant Kishor forming a pan India nexus against the BJP to fight elections?

Trinamool Congress poll strategist and I-PAC brainchild Prashant Kishor has reportedly been roped in by AAP ahead of 2020 Delhi elections to oversee Arvind Kejriwal’s quest to return as Chief Minister. Delhi CM Kejriwal shared a tweet on microblogging website on Saturday, December 14, welcoming aboard political advocacy group I-PAC. Indian Political Action Committee (IPAC) was formed by Prashant Kishor and or members of CAG (Citizens for Accountable Governance) in 2015. Since its inception, group has been kwn to work with several leading regional and national parties across country.

Overview of I-PAC's work since it was established in 2015:

2015 Bihar Elections and campaign strategies for JDU

After coordinating efforts of leadership as well as cadres of Janata Dal United (JDU), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, that ensured Mahagathbandhan’s superlative win in Bihar in 2015, sources revealed that I-PAC team expanded voter base projecting Nitish Kumar, face of JDU as leader who was seeking ar term as State’s CM.

Read | After masterminding 'Sonia Sainiks' what will Prashant Kishor do w? Details here

Foot soldiers:

exhaustive campaign involved party workers visiting even remotest vills in Bihar and handing every household a hand-written letter along with a calendar, urging citizens to vote for Nitish Kumar.

Cycling for a mission: Nitish branded bicycles and Swabhiman Raths

Yellow bicycles carrying seven campaign promises made by CM were ridden across State to familiarise voters about party flag, mess, symbols and leaders.

Read | Prashant Kishor opposes Nitish Kumar support for CAB

Parcha Pe Charcha:

I-PAC team distributed letters to voters with campaign promises asking people to give a “missed call” to number mentioned in letter. Upon giving a missed call, voter would receive a call from ne or than Nitish Kumar. automated voice call thanked voters for believing in Democracy and furr urged m to cast ir vote for Mahagathbandhan.

2017 UP elections Congress

Poster war and foot soldiers were main focus points. While Opposition relied on television and print advertisements, Congress relied on more traditional grounds. However, this was a failed campaign as it did t incorporate youth or techlogy effectively. This led to defeat of Rahul Gandhi, ultimately in his constituency.

2017 Punjab elections Congress and 2019 Andhra Pradesh elections YSR Congress

campaign strategies were similar for both States. Starting from WhatsApp groups, Pada Yatras and even music videos, team’s extensive groundwork propelled parties to power with overwhelming majority, handing over a shocking defeat to BJP in Punjab and Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra Pradesh.

Read | Nitish Kumar's close confidant RCP questions Prashant Kishor's contribution to JD(U)

2019 Maharashtra elections Shiv Sena

Aaditya Sanwaad: According to sources, a one-to-one interaction with Aaditya Thackeray to connect with youth of State was also strategized by Kishor. Several meetings with youth leader was organised as a way to bring more relatability and familiarity with masses.

Friends of Aaditya: Sources told Republic Media Network, interactive sessions with urban professionals to improve young leader’s outreach among urban population was also planned. Attempts to promote Shiv Sena as a party, t just for Maharashtrians in urban sectors, were also pivotal in State. An example of this is hoardings that were put-up all-over Mumbai with greetings and messs for Aaditya Thackeray as new CM of State in different regional langus, as opposed to just Marathi or Hindi.

What lies ahead for Prashant Kishor led-IPAC?

News broke out in early hours of Saturday, December 14, that I-PAC has been roped in by AAP ahead of 2020 Delhi elections. Apart from this, organisation is also working with TMC in West Bengal, JDU in Bihar and sources reveal that firm has been approached by DMK and Kamal Hassan’s People’s Justice Party in Tamil Nadu for upcoming elections in 2021.

Upon closer observation, what this reveals is that since formation of I-PAC, organisation has been taking on BJP at every front across nation. All parties Prashant Kishor has campaigned for or rumoured to assist have eir primarily been at loggerheads with BJP or after elections ended ir alliance with party. This raises several questions about Prashant Kishor’s schemes and nda. For example, electorally, although Maharastra can be deemed a failure since he masterminded a Thackeray becoming CM, it would still be deemed as a success. 

Read | Prashant Kishor's IPAC makes huge claim about AAP as it joins forces with Arvind Kejriwal

Is Prashant Kishor pushing for a 'BJP-Mukt' India? Could reason for assisting political factions and splinter parties across country be a set up for something more than meets eye? Considering Prashant Kishor is working for smaller parties across nation, some of which are still BJP allies, does this imply that organisation will continue Maharashtra strategy by working with  "enemy" until y can ouster BJP from Centre as well? It's a tightrope walk ahead for Prashant Kishor-led I-PAC and organisation's credibility rests heavily on wher or t he is able to secure TMC's win in 2021.